I'm having problems with my retainer...or lack of I guess I should say.

[Anna1185]

Hi all! This is my first time posting!

I got my braces off when I was 15. Had a permanent wire retainer on my bottom teeth and a removable plastic wire one for my top. I wore it constantly until I was around 18 and then lost it. Asked the ortho for a new one and he said I didn't need it anymore...so I didn't bother to get a new one. The guy's obviously a quack because my left front tooth is starting to overlap my other one, and I'm really freaking out.

So a few years back, I recover my lost retainer, which just fell on the side of my bed. Stupid me. I should have put it back in right then and there but I stuck it in a drawer instead and never wore it again.

A few days ago, I put it back in my mouth. And boy was it tight...the pain was horrendous. But I kept it in because it still kinda fit. I mean yeah it was really tight and it wouldn't completely snap into place on one side because the gap in the two teeth that the wire went between was not there...so I guess it was kinda in there lop-sided. Not the best thing, but it still fit so I figured what the crap, I'll just keep it in...and I did.

Now a few days later, it doesn't hurt as much when I put it in at night to sleep, but it still aches a bit. It's a lot easier to take out, as I seem to be able to just pop it out with my tongue now as opposed to tugging it out with my fingers, but the wire still won't snap in all the way on the right side because like I said, the gap in between my teeth is no longer there. I want to know if this is harming my teeth in any way. I plan on calling my ortho tomorrow morning but I've been wearing this thing for a week already so I wanna get some info ASAP.

I don't want to be causing more damage to my teeth or misaligning them in any way, I just want my tooth to go back to normal. I've been hearing mixed reviews about wearing an old retainer, especially since I haven't worn it in 3 years...some say to do it, it'll get easier to put in and out and it'll shift my teeth back. Others say not and that I'll pay for it in the long run. I just don't see how it can be bad? I figured eventually my teeth will shift and the gap will open back up, allowing my retainer to snap into place like it usually does...but I just don't want my teeth to get worse by wearing a lop-sided retainer.

I need some help!

Sorry this is so long. I just want to be as detailed as possible.

I also don't have my wisdom teeth removed, in case anybody was wondering. They don't give me trouble so my dentist said not to play around with them.

Thanks for any help you can give me!!

[Sunny]

Hi Anna and great you want to get your bite sorted now, before it goes too far astray.

My advice is to see your orthodontist asap and seek accurate advice on what is best for you to get (and keep) your teeth in the best place.

A concern about putting an old retainer in, is if the teeth have moved considerably, the pressure to move them quickly to a different place, can affect the root of the tooth. Your description doesn't indicate this, but non the less, orthodontics is a precise science, and best not played around with by the untrained.

Good luck getting your bite back to where it should be.

Re your wisdom teeth - more and more, dentist's now realise there is little or no need to have these chewing teeth removed. As long as a person's mouth is adequate in size and their flossing and brushing in that area is great, then these teeth should be treated the same as your other molars.

[Anna1185]

HI Sunny and thanks for answering my question!

I scheduled an appointment with the Orthodontist for Monday morning (unfortunately, I have severe dental phobia so this should be hard..especially if I need new impressions take, which are the worst for me). But nonetheless, I'd rather have a panick attack than suffer from crooked teeth again after all of my pain and money.

I'm hoping it's just a matter of the orthodontist saying that this retainer is fine and it just needs time to readjust..because really I'm not too sure how I'd be able to fit another retainer in between the teeth since there's no gap there anymore to begin with.

Can't wait until Monday so I can rest easy again!!

[Sunny]

Great you've made the appointment Anna!

Breathe deeply and slowly and hopefully you'll remain calm and you'll be happy with what needs to be done.

If you do need impressions and have a gag reflex, there's a variety of things you can do to help suppress this. First make sure your orthodontist is aware of how uncomfortable you feel and this should help with the way you are treated. Other things include sitting up while impressions are done, breathing through your nose, lifing your legs, listen to music or using your mind to go to a 'happy place'.

All the best for Monday!

[Anna1185]

I went to the Orthodontist! He just shaved down my old retainer in the front and adjusted the wire so that it pushes on my one tooth a bit more. I have to wear it full time again for six months (ugh), but hopefully I'll see some kind of a difference soon.

My only concern is that it still doesn't fit in all the way on one side so hopefully with time it'll start to fit better.

I can't believe I have to wear this thing full-time again 8 years later! Blah!!

[Sunny]

Great news that your alignment can be corrected so easily!

Here's to your retainer fitting well soon and you being thrilled with having your bite back.

Good stuff ... and please don't forget that retainer wear is for life!