Jaw realignment operation

[peainapod]

I was wondering if anyone has had this operation before ? or if any orthodontics are reading this can they give their opinion ? I had this operation when I was 17 (now 22), I wore braces for 7 years before the operation and for one year after (as instructed by my orthodontist). My teeth have moved back out of place again and I'm starting to think there's no hope of me ever having nice teeth. I'm really upset because I spent most of my childhood in braces and then I went through the operation and it was all for nothing.
Hope someone can help, thanks !

[Toothsmith]

There is always some sort of relapse after orthodontic treatment, major or minor.

Having a permanent retainer bonded to the back of your teeth is really the only way to stop this - but even then it's not foolproof.

Your orthodontist should have warned you of the likelyhood of relapse, and the extent of it?

Go back and have a word if you're concerned.

[car25]

Hi, I had this op twice, the second time because it had totally relapsed.

After the second op I had a fixed retainer behind my bottom teeth fitted (and still have the original one on 14 years later!). I also wear a top mouthguard at night, not only because I grind, but also to keep my top teeth in the same position. I also have a single top denture and this guard seems to keep everything in place and the denture still tight.

In hindsight, I wish I hadn't had any of the ops, just the braces, and then fixed retainers behind teeth top and bottom.

[loobylee]

The only way to limit age changes having an effect on your teeth is by wearing your retainer to sleep in every night for forever - and I do mean forever!

If you don't over the years they will relapse - guarenteed. Most orthodontists just say 1 year - generally the older generation, but now we always advise forever.

As for fixed retainers - what has been stuck on can become unstuck and the first you know about it is when the teeth start moving. The best retainer to get is the clear suck down gumshield type (called essix retainers) they are very discreet and you just wear them to sleep in.

Once your teeth have moved the only way to get them straight again is another course of orthodontic treatment.