gaps in lower teeth after brace is removed

[mariebelle]

I had my lower braces removed in January 08, there were some black triangle gaps but my orthodontist said this was due to gum recession, so I just thought that I could live with them.
Later that year in September 08 I noticed that there was a gap between my lower teeth so not just a triangle gap but about 1mm between the teeth; I went back to my orthodontist who said not to worry as the lower teeth crowd as you get older.
I then went back again in March as I felt the gap was getting bigger, he said there was not really much he could do a part from putting the brace on again and he said that even then the gap may form somewhere else.
Its now May nearly 1.5 years since the brace was removed and I am unhappy with the gap, I did not pay to gain another problem to be fixed but I am not sure what I can do, I also feel slightly intimidated by the orthodontist. I have a fixed retainer behind my teeth and I also wear a removable retainer during the night.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated . Thanks

[Candymomof3]

boy that sounds frustrating...can they be bonded? I know this happens as we age..my neighbor with the perfect teeth is always getting bonded! LOL

[newsboysgrl777]

If I were you, I would get myself to a periodontist QUICKLY. If this really is because of gum recession, as far as I am aware, it will continue to get worse if left untreated. Of course, I could be wrong as to what is causing this gap, but you mentioned gum recession and that's something that is serious. Once the gum is gone, it's gone. Even if the perio says "nothing is wrong," it's worth the cost of the visit.

[Sunny]

Mariebelle your situation does sound like you may need to consult with your dentist/perio about your gaps, as gum recession is quite common as we get older, also due to teeth moving (as with ortho treatment), and as a result of some forms of gum disease.

Some gaps can't be closed, that's true, but if your ortho hasn't explained why to you, I think you need to ask for the reason. There probably isn't much that can be done, without braces or some type of bonding, but you may be wise to check with another orthodontist (or two), before making a decision.

In my case, I've had some IPR (shaving) done to my lower front teeth, to reduce the affects of the black triangles. They're not completely gone, but they're a lot less annoying. I realise my lower teeth are rarely seen, but as a vegie, who eats loads of salads with seeds and nuts, I was forever having to pick seeds out of these gaps, so my ortho was happy to close these gaps a little for me. This was not about the look of the gaps, but the function.

When a gap closes in one place, unless there's a crooked tooth to fill the space, the gap will move to another space, and your ortho is correct to point this out to you. What I'm curious about, is how a gap appeared in an area that is held by both a bonded retainer and a removable one?

[mariebelle]

Thank you all for your responses, really helpful. The Ortho said that I had very good teeth which had been kept outstandingly clean and he thought the gum recession may have been when the teeth were crooked, I can understand this bit but what I can't understand is the gap at the top of the tooth. When the braces were removed I was pleased but then months later this gap appeared, I will try and post a picture on here so it is clearer. I don't think there is a crooked tooth to fill the space. I only wore the braces for a total of 15 months and the bottom ones were in for 12 months. I am going to go back one more time and I was also thinking of a second opion so I will see if I can book to see another ortho to see what they say. Also your question is good, why did this happen when I have the retainers to keep them in place, I will ask him this!

[mariebelle]

It's good news, I went back to my ortho and he seem to think that the fixed retainer may have come away behind a tooth but I would not have noticed, he thinks that this may have caused the gap, he did some adjusting and has told me to come back in a couple of weeks, if it has not improved he is going to put the braces back on the lower teeth, he said it would only take about 2 weeks to close!

[Sunny]

Great outcome Mariebelle!

[smilez4me]

That is good news! I was gong to suggest that. My friends perm retainer came out but they had had it in for a long time so they were told it wasnt a worry. Then the space where the teeth didnt close, it was bonded there and that bond fell out. She went to my Ortho for anothe ropinion and was fitted with a removable retainer of sorts and after wearing that for a few weeks the space closed on its own! I bet you will have the smae luck.

[mariebelle]

Thank you. I have now had the bottom fixed brace put back on, it's very strange as it came off a 1.5 years ago and I thought I had seen the back of it! It's been on for two weeks and the gap has nearly closed, it's still there a bit but I am not sure he can do any more, I think he will want to take it off on Monday, my only concern is that what if he takes it off and the same thing happens I can't keep going back to braces - not sure if anyone has any suggestions. It's really strange as my Ortho said I only needed to wear it for 2 weeks, thats why I am thinking when it comes off the gap will just appear gain. Thanks again for your advice

[mikeg]

i think hawley retainer will be good in your case as they can tighten them if needed from any gum recession...

[supo]

Your gap happened because you lacked interdental papilla in that area due before braces (necrosis) due to crooked teeth, or, it was orthodontically introduced through seperating contact points with teeth being moved forward or root angles incorrect. There is a procedure called interdental papilla reconstruction. Peter Nordland, Adriana McGregor, Dennis Shanelec in CA could help you. Also, there is stem cell research being done where they inject fibroblasts into the area and the stem cells know where the damage is and the repair process begins. Two companies are actively doing this - one is on hold due to finances. Just google, "interdental papilla stem cells" in google news (sort by date) and stay up to speed on it - but - visit the above practicioners for evaluation.

[Zoso]

Too much focus in this thread on the back triangle gap, and not on the fact that a gap then formed all the way up the teeth, which no amount of restoring the papillae would help with!

Great that being back in braces is correcting that gap so quickly, Mariebelle. Retention after the braces are off is definitely the question now though - as you say, you don't want to be back in braces every couple of years! I do agree with the comments above that a bonded retainer may be helpful in your case. Especially since you have some gum recession already, you'd need to be very diligent about oral hygiene, but I do reckon it would keep that gap closed up.

Good luck.