Have orthodontics changed?

sallysocks

I've been reading with interest the threads on clearstep etc and I have seen in several posts that retainers are worn after treatment is complete, even with 'traintrack' types. I had massive orthodontic treatment as a young teenager, plate brace at the top which was adjusted every couple of months and a lower jaw brace for night. The whole thing took about three years and left me with a fine-looking set of teeth which are still just the same 45 years later. So did my teeth stay where they were put because I had it done young, or was I just lucky? There was never a mention of retainers or a suggestion that the teeth would move back. Just interested if anyone knows the reason!

GwylimT

I had train tracks as a teenager and a brace helmet that I had to wear to bed, I wore retainers for years, I stopped wearing them in my early twenties and my teeth did move a bit. They aren't as bad as they used to be, but they certainly aren't as straight as my brace made them.

Toothsmith

sallysocks wrote: »

I've been reading with interest the threads on clearstep etc and I have seen in several posts that retainers are worn after treatment is complete, even with 'traintrack' types. I had massive orthodontic treatment as a young teenager, plate brace at the top which was adjusted every couple of months and a lower jaw brace for night. The whole thing took about three years and left me with a fine-looking set of teeth which are still just the same 45 years later. So did my teeth stay where they were put because I had it done young, or was I just lucky? There was never a mention of retainers or a suggestion that the teeth would move back. Just interested if anyone knows the reason!

I bet if you had a model of them at the end of treatment, and took a model of them now you would see that there were quite a few differences.

Teeth are not set in concrete, but an always changing bone structure.

Depending on your jaw relationship, and the musculature of your faced, some arches of teeth are far more stable than others and so will move less once appliances are stopped.

Also, different people are more or less 'picky'!

There are people out there for whom the tiniest crossover becomes a huge disaster and they feel it has totally ruined their face!

Unfortunately, in this day and age, unless you have warned someone of that possibility, and at least offered them the option of permanent retention, they will sue!

This is why you hear a lot more about relapse and more people are offered (and opt for) permanent retention.

lizziebabe

I had train tracks on my lower set of teeth to straighten them, as an adult. After the brace was removed one of my teeth decided to twist. I now have a permanent retainer at the back to prevent this one tooth twisting. It has worked, but I have to have the teeth cleaned at the dentist every 6 months. I can use the interdental brushes and of course I clean my teeth but the dentist seems to get into all the nooks and crannies.

I'm glad I had it done though. The top set could do with straightening a bit but can't afford it now.

CupOfChai

I think they definitely have changed. I had a temporary plate retainer with my top set and no mention of permanent retainers. With the bottom set, done slightly later, I had a glued on wire retainer and the orthodontist told me he would let my dentist know when it would be time to remove it. After several years went by with no word of when this retainer was due to come off, I asked my dentist about it and was told "Oh no we don't remove them, it stays there forever!"

Cheers for telling me that! I'm used to the idea now that it'll always be there, but I was a bit put out at the time. It is very difficult to clean round properly too.

I'm also glad in the long run I had the braces though. One front tooth moved quite a bit and could ideally do with some work to straighten it again, but I don't hate how it looks enough to go through the treatment again and now bear the expense too. They are still vastly improved from how they were.

evangeline

Thank you all for your contributions to this topic. I am coming to the end of my treatment ( train tracks top and bottom) and have been told I will need retainers , but don't know much about them or what to expect. So your posts have been helpful.

loulou123

I had braces on for 3 years in my mid to late 20s (with jaw surgery too) I wear removable retainers every night, and if I don't wear them for a couple of days, they are really tight to get back in - I'm presuming that's due to my teeth having moved a tiny amount without them in.

To be honest I went through so much to have straight teeth (i had them done for medical purposes not cosmetic) that wearing my retainer every night is a small price to pay for them staying straight.

evangeline

Thanks loulou , was told I needed surgery also , but after having gone through other trauma(brain tumour diagnosis) didn't have the stomach for it ( and the orthodontist warned me of high morbidity at my age !). My experience so far indicates I will definitely need to wear the retainers , probably 24/7!