Hawley-missuse. Can it move my teeth back to the time I took off the braces?

gmersiadou · #1 Apr 28, 2009, 12:11 PM

I could use some advise before I really start to feel desperate!

I had my braces removed back in 2004, and was prescribed to use a hawley retainer. By the time of removal I had also one big gap (2mm) on the left-mid side and a smaller one on the right-mid side, which my ortho' suggegsted that they would be gone soon.
After the removal I moved 1000 km away from my ortho' as I was a student and I returned in my hometown.

I sticked to the directions for wearing the hawley till about December 2005. I hadn't paid a visit to my ortho since 2004.

A few days ago I couldn't help noticing that my front teeth started to flip again. I tried on my hawley-retainer again, a first it didn't fit, after a 3 days reriod it seems to fit right. Oh, the gaps didn't close at all with the retainer, but they did become smaller. Now the big one is like the time I removed the braces, thus it opened again.

My question is, will my wearing the Hawley retainer push my teeth back to the position they were when I had my braces removed. The alignment of majority of the front teeth has been a little disturbed. Will retreatment be needed or is there any chance that they come back to position with the hawley (also their alignment)?

I admit it's all my fault, but I could use some advice.
Please...

nikosmom · Apr 28, 2009, 12:28 PM

Over time, the retainer can help to move the teeth back into the position they were in when your braces were first removed.

Since so much time has passed, I'd recommend going back to your orthodontist so that you can have a new retainer made. The Dr can adjust the retainer over time to slowly bring your teeth back into position.

If you were able to fit your old retainer in after so much time, it doesn't sound like your teeth have shifted very much so that sounds hopeful. Once you go back, I'd advise at this point to wear the retainer at least at night to keep your teeth from shifting again.

Amir1981 · Apr 28, 2009, 06:11 PM

If it has a wire with loops on the front and acrylic on the inside, sometimes you can tighten the wire and push the teeth back, the doc will have to do it for ya



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