Recently Answered Questions
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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 »
I stopped wearing a retainer and my teeth shifted back. Help.
Query: Hello doctor,I had worn braces for over three years and was given a retainer after that. I have not worn the retainer for a while, and two of my bottom front teeth have moved. Will they move back to the place if I wear the retainer again? Kindly advise. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Retainers are one of the most important phases of orthodontic treatment. They help hold on to the changes done during the treatment and do not allow the teeth to go back into their previous positions. It takes about a year for the tissues t... Read Full »
If I were to remove the braces without using a retainer, what would be the outcome?
Query: Hi doctor,I have been wearing metal braces for ten months with the intention of undergoing surgery to correct my underbite and crossbite. However, my insurance did not cover the surgery, worsening my bite and negative changes in my facial features. These changes include a narrower face, a pointy chi... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and understood your concern. I am sorry to hear about the negative experience regarding the outcome of your orthognathic surgery. There is a very slim chance that you will regain your old facial features after completing your orthodontic treatment a... Read Full »
I wore braces for the past two years, but my front teeth still seem to be raised. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I have had braces for two years, but I am not satisfied with the results. Whenever I ask my orthodontist about it, they say it is normal, but I do not believe it is. Specifically, the front teeth on my lower jaw are raised higher than the other teeth, causing them to be barely visible,... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and understood your concern. Yes, you are absolutely correct in expressing your concern about your lower teeth. It appears that you have a deep bite, which means that your lower teeth are not as visible as they should be. There are a couple of re... Read Full »
Can removing retainer for one week after 9.5 years of braces removal cause teeth shifting?
Query: Hello doctor, I lost my retainer and need to get a new one. This will be a week without a retainer. I got my braces removed nine and a half years ago and have worn the retainer every night. I would have missed it once in a blue moon. What are the chances of my teeth shifting even if it is a little? ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. Retainers are considered an important part of orthodontic therapy as they hold or retain the teeth in the corrected positions after the treatment. In the meantime, the jaw bone and surrounding tissues get mature enough to hold the teeth ther... Read Full »
Will my teeth shift badly if I remove my braces two days before completion of the treatment?
Query: Hello doctor,My top wires were bothering me; they were poking me, so I removed the wires with pliers. I get my braces off next week. Between that time, will my teeth shift? If so, how bad? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Hope you are doing well. Sorry to hear about wire poking you. As you will be off your braces in two days and have removed the wire, it should not change much. There are high chances it will remain the same. What you have to take care of now is the retention part. Retain... Read Full »
Will my orthodontic treatment relapse if I do not wear retainers?
Query: Hi, I have had braces, and I was stupid to get them even though my teeth were perfect before. Now I want them to relapse, but it feels like they stay in the same position even though I am not wearing a retainer. Is this possible to have no relapse? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Retainers are given to hold the teeth into their position after orthodontic treatment. If retainers are not worn, teeth might shift to other positions as it takes about one year for the bone to fully mature (retainers durat... Read Full »
Can the open bite as a result of orthodontic relapse be fixed?
Query: Hi doctor,I have misaligned teeth due to not wearing a retainer after I had worn braces 16 years ago. I am now 31 years old. I was firmly rejected for braces recently by the orthodontist because of some root canals treatments and extractions (last upper molar missing would be a huge risk) that are d... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Indeed the condition of your dentition is not good (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). There are missing molars, and the overbite has increased because of missing molars allowing front teeth to erupt more and causing deep bit... Read Full »