Any orthodontists out there?

[caiss4]

My daughter received fantastic NHS orthodontic care for an overjet 4 years ago. Brilliant result and at the end of the treatment (about 2 years ago) was advised that she would need to use her retainer for life every other night or so.

What has amazed me is she has stuck with that advice but just today complained that the retainer, in her words, 'is a bit manky'. So my question is should we go and get a replacement or is the advice that she needs to wear it for life a bit overkill?

I know I could go back to her consultant (and will if that is the advice) but TBH I was a bit surprised that the advice was to use the retainer for life. Any advice welcomed!

[MacGee]

Yes...get one ASAP or they'll drift. vital.

[Fastchas]

I was told the same.
The teeth in their natural state are held in place by tendons/guides and when you put a retainer on them it stretches the tooth into an 'unnatural' position which stretches the tendons. If the retainer is discarded then over time the tendon will gradually 'pull' the tooth back into it's natural first position.

[Driller]

Not exactly.

It's connective tissue fibres not tendons and it's the muscles of lips, cheeks and tongue pushing against the teeth that move them after they have been moved out of their natural "neutral zone" between these by the ortho treatment.

[caiss4]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like a call to the consultant is in order then.