Recently Answered Questions
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My teeth got shifted after some years of ortho treatment. Why?
Query: Hello doctor,I got my braces treatment done before 12 years, as my teeth in the upper jaw were outwards than lower ones. Doctor put braces on my upper jaw as the problem was in the upper jaw teeth. But after two to three years teeth starting shifting and now I have developed spaces between teeth ran... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The reason for relapse are many, 1. Dietary habits, eating hard food, putting much pressure on teeth. 2. Not using retainers up to the suggested time. 3. Internal factors such as lower teeth or jaw alignment which might be interfering with upper jaw alignment. 4.... Read Full »
After getting retainers, my veneers started to shift. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 25 year old male who had braces five years back. I had braces for two and a half years for upper teeth only, and I still wear my retainer every night. I recently got veneers on my upper six front teeth, so my dentist had to make a couple of adjustments to my retainer. For about ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The reason why you are experiencing this is probably because of your retainer. Your retainer might be active or tight, which exerts a force on your teeth when you wear it. When the force is removed, the teeth does move very minutely, which is imperceptible sometimes. Whe... Read Full »
My orthodontic treatment has relapsed. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, One of my teeth started moving backward as soon as I started wearing my retainer just at night. It got painful to put the retainer back in, and so I stopped wearing it. I am terrified of orthodontists and dentists, and so did not let my orthodontist know. Now, two of my teeth has moved... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. To correct the relapse of orthodontic treatment, there are two options. It depends on how much tooth movement is required. If it is one or two teeth requiring 1 mm or less tooth movement, an active retainer can be given. If it is more teeth or a greater amount of toot... Read Full »
I used a plier to adjust my retainer. Is it safe?
Query: Hi doctor,I employed pliers to gently compress the Adams clasp on my metal retainer with the pink palate. The reason for this was that the retainer had become loose, and I noticed my front teeth were starting to develop gaps. I am curious if this adjustment will help bring my front teeth back togeth... Read Full »
Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern.First and foremost, I would like to advise against attempting to adjust an orthodontic appliance by yourself without consulting or receiving guidance from an orthodontist, even if it feels loose or tight. Proper fitting is esse... Read Full »
I have a retainer with a rusty steel wire. Is it safe?
Query: Hello doctor,I have had braces for many years. I am almost finished with the treatment and currently use a retainer about once a week. I have just found rust and corrosion in the weld between the steel wires. How serious is this? What should one do? Can the retainer still be used? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Orthodontic wires are usually resistant to corrosion and if the wire has corroded, it can release harmful ions inside the oral cavity leading to an allergic reaction and toxicity. So, I suggest you consult your orthodontist and get evaluated. He will change the corro... Read Full »
What if I do not wear retainers post orthodontic treatment?
Query: Hello doctor, Four years ago, I got my teeth straight from a dental clinic using some braces. At the end of the treatment, they asked me to wear some teeth clips so that there would not be any gap formation. But as I have not followed it well there are some gaps in my teeth. So I want to know if th... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should have followed your dentist's advice and used retainers a little longer to avoid the relapse you are going through now. For now, I suggest you make an appointment with the same dentist if possible and ask if the relapse can be managed with the help of remov... Read Full »
Loose teeth after braces, cannot use Invisalign. Need help.
Query: Hello doctor, I had braces before, and the doctor gave me an Invisalign to wear at night when he took off my braces. However, while taking off the braces from my lower front teeth, my three lower front teeth were loose, and since then, I have had a problem eating food or wearing an Invisalign, as it... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should have worn your clear retainers (they are not Invisalign) for around two years at least so that the teeth can get strong at the correct position. Then, in your current condition, you can go for Invisalign therapy to correct those minor rotations of the fron... Read Full »
Is it okay not to wear retainers for a few weeks?
Query: Hi doctor, I just left for a two-and-a-half-week vacation and realized I forgot my retainer at my home. Will my teeth shift drastically in that time, and is it fine to wear my retainer when I get back? I have had my braces off for almost five years and usually wear my retainer every night. Kindly he... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. After that, we generally taper down the retainer, and the patient can stop using it after one and a half years to one year and nine months. However, this does not apply to all cases. For example, certain cases require longer retainers; some mi... Read Full »
I experience a relapse after retainer removal. What to do?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 53 years old. I had my permanent retainers removed six months ago, after 26 years. My lower front teeth are flaring out. They are hitting the back of my upper front teeth. I am a tongue thruster. Can I have these teeth that had the retainer removed, rebraced, and another permanent... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Yes, you can get the particular segment of teeth re-braced and later a permanent retainer. However, you can also have other options to consider before deciding on the treatment option. Before that, we should initiall... Read Full »
How long will it take for the teeth to realign if I start the treatment?
Query: Hello doctor, My teeth shifted after braces, and I accidentally lost my retainer at work and could not afford a new one then. My last orthodontic treatment left gaps, crooked teeth, and crossbites. How severe is my case, and how long treatment will I need again? I am attaching pictures of my teeth. ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Retainers are an important part of orthodontic treatment as they hold the teeth in the corrected position until the bone beneath gets matured enough and does not allow them to return to previous positions. This process takes about 10 to 11 months, so it is advised to w... Read Full »