Question 1

if i dont wear my retainers will my teeth shift back (or jaw) to where it started before treatment or even worse?

Accepted Answer

Relapse: Failure to wear orthodontic retainers as directed can result in your teeth shifting.

Question 2

can retainers be tightened to move teeth back?

Accepted Answer

Oops: If teeth have shifted you're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.  If change is minor retainer adjustment may help, but not entirely fix, the problem.  Get to orthodontic specialist asap before problem gets worse.  If problem severe enough, re-treatment may be necessary, and new result not as optimal as previous result.  Don't wait, call now.

Question 3

if you force your retainer in will it shift your teeth back?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: A retainer is not an active appliance.. It is designed to hold teeth in place, not move them. If the teeth have shifted just a bit, and the retainer is tight, but still fits down all the way, then wearing it 24/7 (unless eating) for a few weeks can make things right. If the retainer does not seat completely, you are doing more harm than good. See your orthodontist.

Question 4

i've not been using night retainer and my teeth are shifting back. now what?

Accepted Answer

Phone call: Retainer probably no longer fits. You need to discuss your options with your orthodontist.. Try to align the teeth again, or new retainer to keep them in current position. Hard to say how much work you need without an examination.

Question 5

if i haven't worn my retainers for a few months, will they shift my teeth back into place if it still fits?

Accepted Answer

With luck: Depending on how your teeth have shifted, this may be possible. If the space required for proper alignment is not still available, however, it is much less likely. Go see your orthodontic provider with your retainer to get information that is relevant to your situation .

Question 6

do teeth always shift back if you don't wear a retainer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: After orthodontic treatment it takes time for the supporting bone to mature and reposition.  During this time the teeth will tend to revert  back to their original position.  That is why a retainer is required.  Some teeth will require long term or "fixed" retainer or the teeth will move.

Question 7

hi docs, would my retainer put my teeth back if i haven't worn them for a while?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Retainers are not full control appliances like braces.  When retainers not worn teeth shift, drift, tip, torque, rotate.  Retainers retain, they don 't correct.  If movement very slight, retainers may help.  If more than slight, you will only get partial response to putting retainers back in.  Best advice, get in to see your orthodontic specialist asap and be honest about your lack of compliance.

Question 8

i lost my retainer a while back and i have found it recently but my teeth have changed shape lightly & grown can retainers be adjusted & made bigger?

Accepted Answer

Maybe..: Check with your orthodontist to see if the retainer can be adjusted or needs to be remade.

Question 9

i accidentally broke two composites on my bottom teeth wire retainer and im on vacation and wont get back till two weeks and i want to know if it can still be fixed when i get back without further damage in relapse?

Accepted Answer

: Go to a pharmacy and get OTC Dent Temp, it's a putty and place a little over area. As a last resort use a piece of bubble gum. Don't try Crazy glue. If you can fiend a walk in dental office where ever you are go in.

Question 10

is it still possible to floss the front teeth when a metal retainer is fitted to the back of the front teeth?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Use a 'floss threader' to floss between the teeth with the bonded metal retainer.

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Doctor answers about:

Will retainer shift teeth back

A member asked:

If i dont wear my retainers will my teeth shift back (or jaw) to where it started before treatment or even worse?

A member asked:

Can retainers be tightened to move teeth back?

A member asked:

If you force your retainer in will it shift your teeth back?

A member asked:

I've not been using night retainer and my teeth are shifting back. now what?

A member asked:

If i haven't worn my retainers for a few months, will they shift my teeth back into place if it still fits?

A member asked:

Do teeth always shift back if you don't wear a retainer?

A member asked:

Hi docs, would my retainer put my teeth back if i haven't worn them for a while?

A member asked:

I lost my retainer a while back and i have found it recently but my teeth have changed shape lightly & grown can retainers be adjusted & made bigger?

A member asked:

I accidentally broke two composites on my bottom teeth wire retainer and im on vacation and wont get back till two weeks and i want to know if it can still be fixed when i get back without further damage in relapse?

A member asked:

Is it still possible to floss the front teeth when a metal retainer is fitted to the back of the front teeth?

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