bridurkin Posted November 18, 2010 Posted November 18, 2010 ^ so true...I only ever notice top teeth! My old roommates bottom row was a mess, and I never noticed till she pointed it out! (same thing...she never wore her retainers!)
girliceclimber Posted November 18, 2010 Posted November 18, 2010 My bf had braces probably 10 years ago, and he has a bonded retainer and an upper retainer that he wears overnight (probably about 80% of the time). I remember asking him if the bonded retainer bothered him and he said he never notices it, except it's harder to floss. Also, I've noticed that if he's been lazy about wearing his upper retainer and puts it in after like a week or two of not wearing it, then it hurts because his teeth have already moved a little. So I definitely think retainers are necessary to keep your teeth nice after braces.
vanessajean Posted November 18, 2010 Posted November 18, 2010 I had braces at the age of 21-24. It sucked but I wear my retainers every night. I have a small space that keeps opening up between my 2 front top teeth and I plan to get the bonded retainer. Just have to make time to get to the ortho.
leaf Posted November 18, 2010 Posted November 18, 2010 OP, I have this same problem. I had braces as a teenager, but the result was never perfect. I was so excited to get them off that I didn't mind. Now, 10 + years later, I still wear my retainer (the old fashioned kind) nearly every night, but my teeth have shifted and I'm very unhappy with them. I've consulted with two different orthodontists, and both have told me that Invisalign is not an option. They both recommended that I pull teeth (two top and two bottom) and wear ceramic braces for 18 months. Another option is lingual (behind the teeth) braces but I've been quoted 10K! I'd like to do the braces because I'm concerned that my teeth are going to get worse as I get older, but (i) I'm a lawyer and am concerned that the braces will look ridiculous in front of clients/partners, and (ii) I just got engaged and will probably get married within the next year. I am torn!
miss-kris Posted November 19, 2010 Posted November 19, 2010 If you get the teeth pulled, Invisalign is still not an option? I'm kind of surprised because they usually say the best patients for Invisalign are those who have had braces in the past. I originally considered lingual too and they were way too expensive IMO.
olialm1 Posted November 19, 2010 Posted November 19, 2010 I had 4 adult teeth removed, an expander, and braces for 4 years (12-16) and now I'm 21. My teeth have shifted a little bit but I try to wear my retainer as much as possible.
kathywko Posted November 19, 2010 Posted November 19, 2010 I am in dental school now and really not a fan of Invisalign because the dentist needs to remove tooth structure (bad because tooth enamel doesn't grow back) to create spaces so the teeth can move back into place. You can get an appliance if your teeth have moved just a slight hair. It is a retainer that is tightened occasionally. There are "invisible" braces but, of course, you can still see them, just not as noticeable. Personally, I have a lingual bar on my lower teeth and they haven't moved since I had braces 8 years ago. The permanent retainer does occasionally break though and that can be a pain in the butt for your tongue!
miss-kris Posted November 19, 2010 Posted November 19, 2010 I actually didn't need any filing for my invisalign. I did need filing when I first had metal braces though.
shoppgirl85 Posted November 22, 2010 Posted November 22, 2010 I had braces from 14-16. After that I had a bonded retainer on my bottom teeth and regular retainer for my top teeth. When I was 20 I accidentally dropped stepped on my retainer. I wish I had bought another one then because now at 25 my top front teeth are overlapping a little.
lucegoose Posted November 22, 2010 Posted November 22, 2010 I have heard several cases of adults needing braces bc they never wore their retainers when they were a teenager, only to find out that the teeth moved but it's too late! I would say WEAR your retainer, even if you don't like it. It'll help you out in the long run. I am 20, got my braces off in summer of 08, and wear my retainers every night. I have top ones though, as my bottom ones are the permanent ones. May not have answered the OP's question but as for people who just recently got the braces off, take my advice. I do not want to be 30-40 years old and still have to revert back to wearing braces. Too much of a hassle, I'm sure!
vinyl Posted November 23, 2010 Posted November 23, 2010 I'm 20 & didn't wear my retainers after I got my braces taken out in high school. Really regret it because I might as well NOT have gotten braces!
natalie78 Posted November 23, 2010 Posted November 23, 2010 I had braces for five years as a teenager. I had an overbite and huge buck teeth. I wore my upper retainer faithfully for about two years, but my use declined after that. I haven't worn that thing is ten years! I have noticed that my front teeth are gradually moving back down into their former position. Eventually, I will have to have braces again. My bottom teeth are okay thanks to the bonded retainer.
bridurkin Posted November 29, 2010 Posted November 29, 2010 wow...just got back from orthodontist. Even with the bonded retainer, my bottom teeth have moved. He told me I need to swallow with my tongue on the roof of my mouth, instead of pushing my tongue up against my teeth. I just got fitted for yet another lower retainer that I need to pick up next week to wear along with the bonded one.
ladysarah Posted December 2, 2010 Posted December 2, 2010 my teeth had a little movement but I don't bother with the retainers any more. I think if you want perfect teeth you really do need to wear them every night. Not so good for your sex life though is it?
queennadine Posted December 2, 2010 Posted December 2, 2010 I had braces for 3 and a half years. I got them on when I was 11 and off when I was 14 and a half. My teeth have shifted slightly and my overbite has come back a little bit...but I still wear my retainer every single night. I even had it adjusted a few years back and the orthodontist was super impressed that I keep up with it! If I miss even 1-2 nights of my retainer, I can tell and it feels tight the next time I put it in. I tend to have sinus issues and breathe with my mouth open quite a bit at night, so the retainer helps with cotton mouth too, in case anyone's interested in that tidbit!
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