I am an adult and had braces for 2 yrs and 3 months. My top teeth were straight but my bottoms were a little crooked plus I had an extra tooth on the bottom. Also I had a slight underbite. I went to 3 ortho's before I choose him. All of which told me I would have to have jaw surgery. Hes the only one who said I would not have to have jaw surgery and that's why I went to him. During the 2 yrs I was always afraid to talk to him because he had a scarastic personality and was always in a rush to get people out. He has been practicing for 30 yrs but I always felt like he never really looked that closely at my teeth (according to how my friends told me about their ortho, mine seemed not that good).

I got my braces off yesterday. The underbite is gone but I noticed that one of my teeth on the bottom is still kindof back compared to the other teeth. He did pull that extra tooth and I have a small gap on the side of my mouth but I don't understand how he could have taken the braces off knowing that my bottom teeth are not completely straight. A few coworkers noticed the tooth that's not lined up with the rest of them. I went to him today and voiced my concern and he told me that the retainers will fix it. He said he usually fixes the retainer models (which I doubt). I get my retainers next week. I really don't think the retainer will fix the problem since retainers are meant to retain the current shape of the teeth. I am upset and want him to fix it. By law does he have to fix it? How can he fix it now that my braces are off?? I really would like some input if any one has had the same experience or if there are dentists/orthos on this site. Thanks

I also wanted to mention that he does not do permanent retainers. So I have no clue how the retainers will fix my tooth as he claims.

Sometimes the retainer wire can be bent to move a tooth into place.

Really the retainer can move the tooth? Is it better to have a normal retainer or a built in retainer? My ortho does not use built in retainers.

Most orthodontists will use a permanent retainer on the lower teeth and a removable on the upper. Once all of the lower teeth are in place a permanent wire should be cemented in to prevent relapse if there comes a day when you stop wearing your retainer.

He's not using a permanent at all. He is only using removal retainer on both upper and lower. Should I be OK with the removal as long as I wear my retainer in the night?

If your instructions are to wear your retainer only at night, you should be OK. A lot of times orthos tell their patients to wear their retainers full-time for six months to a year, and then only at night. This allows the teeth to "set" in their new positions. However, if you were given stable results at the end of your treatment, it might only be necessary to wear them at night. You can always ask if you can wear them more. Don't let your ortho scare you; you are paying him for his services - he's there to answer your questions and fix your teeth. You're doing HIM a favor by being his patient! Stand up for yourself if you need to, but you need to have your concerns addressed. It might be helpful to book a 15 min appointment with him for no treatment, but to discuss your results in his office. That way he will have a committed time frame for you.

Remember too that a "permanent" retainer isn't really permanent; it's just not removable. Often times after a few years the glue wears down and it pops off, or they simply break. If you are an adult with braces you will probably have to wear your retainers for life no matter what because your jaw is not still "growing" like a child's. This makes you more prone to relapse and shifting.

If in the end your teeth do not retain their proper position and your ortho is unable to correct your issues with the retainer (which is done frequently, especially with Hawley retainers), you might have to have the braces put back on. Ethically, he should not charge you for this, but legally he can do what he wants.

I have not received my retainers, I got my braces off 2 days ago and will get my retainers next week. My ortho does not use "permanent retainers". Hes a bit old fashoned I guess. I hope he can fix my tooth on the bottom. Its not noticeable to people until I point it out. However I notice it and it was one of the reasons I wanted braces in the first place. I don't mind wearing my retainers 24/7, I guess I will see what he tells me. Are Hawley retainers permanent? He would not have any legal ramifications on this tooth? Thanks again for all of your help.

A Hawley appliance is a removable appliance. I agree with Jillianleab in regards to discussing the results of your othodontic tx with your orthodontist. You have paid a lot of money to have your teeth straightened you should be happy with the results.

Hawley retainers are the "traditional" retainer; here's a link to some images:

hawley retainer - Google Image Search

They have the wire across the front of the teeth which can be bent to move the teeth if they shift.

Essix retainers look like Invisalign trays;

essix retainer - Google Image Search

These can also be used to move teeth my putting "bumps" in the plastic.

Typically essix retainers have a limited shelf life - after 6 months or so they aren't as tight, become brittle or break. This doesn't happen in all cases, but it can. Hawley retainers are a little more sturdy if they are well taken care of.

Some orthos choose not to use bonded (permanent) retainers because it leads people to believe they don't have to wear their regular retainers, and that's not the case. The bonded retainer provides EXTRA retention, but alone does not provide ENOUGH retention to keep the teeth from shifting. Beyond that, they normally only go over the front four teeth, which means your other teeth aren't being retained at all (if you don't wear the removable ones) and are more likely to shift. A lot of orthos don't use bonded retainers, it seems to be a personal preference. Many, however, will apply one if the patient asks/insists.

Unfortunately he really has no legal obligation to fix the problem tooth, but it would be the ethical thing for him to do. I would venture to guess he will attempt to fix it because it ruins his reputation if he doesn't. You should talk to your ortho, however, because there may be a reason the tooth isn't where it is supposed to be; adults seldom receive "perfect" results. It could be your wear patterns don't allow the tooth to go into proper position, in which case shaving or IPR might be an option. Then again, sometimes wear is wear and it's too bad to "repair".

Jillianleab, thanks for the info. I have a lot of adult friends that have had braces and they have perfect teeth. I just don't think my ortho is the best. I also have noticed that the front tooth on my bottom has no room and is now starting to stick out and almost invert. So now there are two teeth that are problematic. He also had a tooth extracted which left a hole. He could have used that hole to fix my teeth. I will talk to my ortho tomorrow. I will let you guys know what happeend.

Hey guys,

Quick update: I got the hawley retainer for my bottom teeth. The tooth that I told you guys about that was pushed back, well the ortho is saying that that tooth is aligned but he's going to push the canine back. I don't know, I'm trying to trust him. Another thing I wanted to mention, my ortho never took molds when I started my treatment. All of my friends that have had braces told me that their ortho took molds before they got their braces on. I am kindof freeked out because I really don't think he knows what he is doing even though he's been in practice for over 20 yrs. Please help!

It's hard to know what to say now that your treatment is almost complete.

I would have questioned why only one out of 3 or 4 orthodontists said he could correct your bite without surgery. That should have sent up a red flag right then. Is your orthodontist a qualified specialist or a general dentist who dabbles in ortho? Just because an orthodontist has been practising for 20 yrs doesn't necessarily mean he/she's up to date on all new methods of treatment. Things DO change in the dental industry quite regularly. The term "Buyer Beware" is appropriate for healthcare too.

I've been in dental care for over 25 yrs and have never heard of an orthodontist NOT taking impressions at the beginning of treatment. Did your orthodontist take 2 large x-rays before he started treatment? One is a panorex (or panoramic xray) and one is a cephalometric x-ray. These are all needed for treatment planning in orthodontics.

If he did not take these x-rays before beginning your treatment I'd suggest you contact your local dental licensing body. You might have a case for malpractise.

I know of several orthos who don't take impressions at the start of treatment. Mine didn't, for one. He took x-rays and photos, and lots of them. I'd worry more about if there were no x-rays taken.

He only took a panormic x-ray (which was large) and he took a bunch of pictures. He is a orthodontist as far as I know. Hes not a dentist. Flossie what do you think, should I contact the local orthodontics association (which I think he is a member of)?

Where are you located? Here in Ontario, Canada all dentists are registered under one body The Royal College of Dentists. It wouldn't hurt to call the governing body and ask some questions. It might put your mind at ease.

I am in the USA. Update, I have a crossbite. I cannot close my mouth properly.
also my bottom jaw is crooked and I can feel it (I feel a pulling sensation on the side of my jaw). I am going to see another ortho in two weeks for impressions,x-rays, and pictures. I am thinking of sueing my current ortho. I have an appointment with him in 1 month and I will talk to him then about giving some of my money back.

Your right a retainer won't correct the problem, my dentist told me exactly the same thing. I'm 17 and had a brace on for two years and I have been left with bucked teeth due to my dentists shabby work. I also have an underbite that wasn't present before treatment I only have it because my dentist moved my top teeth so far forward and made them buck out. My speech has also been impaired I almost speak with a lisp now and this also wasn't present before the treatment began. I had a second opinion off another dentist and he told me I can't have my teeth corrected because a brace also moves your face bones so if a dentist fitted a second brace and tried to push my teeth back to where they should be the bones in my face will give way and my face will cave in! So now I'm left with bucked teeth, a lisp and an underbite. My only option is to pay out£ 4,000 for veneers which I obviously can't afford. And they call themselves professionals! :mad:

Sorry forgot to add this bit. No he doesn't have to fix them because as soon as the brace is removed treatment is over. If you're a private patiant you will have to pay again for them to be corrected if you live in the UK and you see your dentist under the NHS your dentist has to ask for another course of treatment and if it is granted then yes he can fix them.

Carly
I am sorry to hear about your situation. I hope you are able to get your teeth fixed. A quick update on my situation, I have gone for a 2nd opinion to two other orthodontists. Both basically told me that without jaw surgury this is the best its going to get. Both also told me that he fixed my bite. I took my before pictures to both of them. Therefore I am not stressing or panacking about my teeth anymore.