Retainer Braces

[loulou111]

After having fixed braces for 2 years my next door neighbours daughter has to have retainer braces after Christmas. Any idea how long these are likely to be worn for?

[Brinjal]

Usually it is advise they be worn as often as possible and until about 20. Advisable to always wear them at night.

[loulou111]

20 wow!!. I thought it would be for just a few months. I wont tell her though as shes 14 and i think she might be a bit miffed. I will leave it for the Dentist to break the news.

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"How long will I have to wear retainers?

This will vary depending on how your teeth looked before the orthodontic treatment started. However, as a general rule, you will be asked to wear a removable retainer for a minimum of 12 months. Your orthodontist will advise you when to wear your retainer. It is likely that if you stop wearing your retainers there will be some tooth movement. Changes in the position of your teeth can continue throughout life and are part of the normal ageing process. The only way to have permanently straight teeth is to wear a retainer on a part-time basis for life "

Source:
The British Orthodontic Society
http://www.bos.org.uk/Resources/BOS/Shop/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets%20low%20res%20samples/retainer-lr.pdf

[pixie373]

Until she stops growing.

[loulou111]

Thanks for the answers everyone . I was just curious, i thought when people had fixed braces they came off and that was it. You learn something new everyday.

[Old_Geezer]

I guess that explains why mine suddenly started moving in my fifties Buenchico. Why don't folk warn you ? I'd always assumed once in place that was it, and now they're not right any more :-(

[Brinjal]

My kids still wear theirs at night one age 25 the other 33.

[Prudie]

I wore a brace from about 12 to 13 1/2, the last 6 months I only had to wear it at night. After that I had lovely straight teeth for years until recently when I've noticed they are sneaking back to pre-brace times. Hope I don't end up getting called goofy again!

[whiskeryron]

Most of mine move at night into a cup.

WR.

[granny grump]

It seems that every other teenager I see is wearing them - are their teeth that bad or is it just that dental treatment has changed so much

[queenofmean]

I was told 6 months for mine - still have them somewhere

[rockyracoon]

My kids have just had fixed braces removed but they got retainers within 4 days. They'll probably have to wear them until they're about 20 but only at night.

[queenofmean]

I had to wear mine all the time except when I was eating - blooming nightmare trying to be discreet when taking it out if I wasn't able to take them out privately

[pixie373]

My 3 teenagers all had fixed braces. They got retainers within a week. For 6 months they had to wear them day and night (except eating and sport). Then night only- until 18 for the girls and 20 for the boy, as apparently that is when they (or their faces) stop growing.

[rockyracoon]

That's a bit of a nightmare queenie, my kids only have to worry about it at bedtime

[lady-janine]

i'd rather wear braces than have crooked teeth. when i was young the treatment was to remove teeth and then braces to encourage them to grow straight. thanks goodness it had changed for my children and grandchildren.

[tonyav]

My youngest daughter had to wear her's for 12 months.

[queenofmean]

I'll spare you the details Rocky! I think I gave up and just wore it at night after a wee while, saved the hassle and awkwardness. Teeth and jaw are both fine now though so its all good :)

[RATTER15]

My daughter had to wear hers for about 18 months.

[andy-hughes]

granny grump - "It seems that every other teenager I see is wearing them - are their teeth that bad or is it just that dental treatment has changed so much"

The latter - dentistry has moved on in leaps and bounds from when we were kids.

The best you could hope for when you were growing and your dentist was good enough to spot overcrowding, was to lose four teeth with gas!

All my girls have worn braces - Charlee the youngest could see the benefits for herself. Tanya the oldest wore hers religiously and has beautiful teeth, Kerri was less diligent, and her teeth are slightly crooked, Charlee decided her older sister's option was best, wore hers religiously as well, and has beautiful teeth.

The less said about mine, the better, but the top ones look nice after some crowns and bridges. Their mum has always had nice teeth, even after the 'four out' as a child, which I had too.