Do the gaps from extractions open up again if you dont wear your retainers?

[Lucyagain]

Hi,
My dd is due to have 4 teeth extracted for braces. She's now doubting herself because of the fact that she's been told to wear retainers for life afterwards. I just wanted to ask if theres anyone here who has had teeth extracted for braces and then not worn the retainers for most of their life so far, and found that the gaps have opened up again? She understands that her teeth will shift, but is it to the point that the gaps would be visible again? Also, she was saying she'd feel more comfortable going through with it if she could wear her retainers properly for several years and then not decide to wear it anymore or once in a blue moon type of thing, without the consequence of teeth shifting drastically or gaps opening up. I really dont know what to tell her, as I dont know anyone who has had any ortho work done.

She's been wanting braces not for cosmetic reasons, but mainly because she has a bad tooth that might need taking out anyway, and to prevent bad dental hygiene problems for the future. She's thinking of not doing it, but I thought it would be better for her to do it now while she's getting it for free?

I really appreciate any replies!

I had four teeth removed for mine, I wore the fixed braces then eventually the retainer until they said I only need to wear it at night.
I did try to wear it but I often woke up with it in my hair!!
My top teeth have remained fine, my bottom have moved a little again due to crowding as my wisdom teeth came through, but no gaps where the teeth were before

The line from my dc orthodontist- you need to wear the retainer (at night) for as long as you want your teeth to stay straight ...
So yes, gaps will open up and teeth will go crooked again

My 16yo DD has just has her braces off, she had four teeth removed too before she started treatment. She has fixed wires at the back or her teeth instead of a retainer, her older brother has them too (braces off a couple of years ago) and teeth are not expected to move. My eldest had the traditional treatment and retainer which he wore for years but as soon as he stopped they started shifting 😐

I had two teeth extracted for braces when I was 12 as I had a small jaw and large teeth. After braces I had to wear the retainer 24/7 (except for eating) for 2 weeks and then every night for a year. After that they said I could throw it away. My teeth have definitely shifted slightly but not much and although I have a tiny gap on one side, it's been 24 years since my orthodontic treatment.

@rollon2020 thanks for your reply, and honestly a ton of strange things happen whilst sleeping, but honestly I think that just made my day :) have found weird things in my own hair after waking up too! So I'm guessing that you're no longer wearing it? How long did you end up wearing the retainers for on the basis that you'd been told by the orthodontist? Also, would you say the teeth look like they're going back to their origin al position? Thanks a heap so far! I think its best to just be totally honest with dd and tell her she's gotta commit to them

@BlueCowWonders thanks for the reply! That's a great way to put it!

I had 6 teeth extracted for ortho and barely wore my retainer at all and gaps definitely haven't opened. Teeth have shifted slightly but that's it

@SnowsInWater hiya! Thanks for the insight! I guess it can be an uphill struggle trying to make sure they have the retainers on regularly, but a fixed wire does sound like a good option. If you dont mind me asking, are your eldest's going back to how they were originally? Again, thanks!

@Zippetydoodahzippetyay heya! Thank you for your reply! For 24 years it still sounds like a fab result!

@YerAWizardHarry firstly, loving the username . Also, secondly, were they all adult teeth? I remember one of my siblings having baby teeth taking out for something similar a long time back. It sounds like that with the retainers, some people get lucky once they decide not to wear it. All the same, your reply has given dd some reassurance too. Did the teeth shift to the point that it's very noticeable or looks bad(if you dont mind me asking) Thank you!

@lucyagain yes all adult teeth! Two upper premolars, two upper molars and two lower molars. I still have a lovely smile but it's not perfect

I had adult teeth taken out, never wore a retainer and no problems. Dd has a fixed metal retainer on front two teeth and wears a removable retainer every other night or do - no movement

@YerAWizardHarry ahhh, I see. I feel bad for her having 4 taken out, i cant even imagine six! Again thank you so much for all your help! I really appreciate it.

I had four teeth out in my teens back in the 80s. Can't remember how long I was advised to wear a retainer for, but only a year or so, I think. The gaps did not open up again as my mouth had been very crowded, but when my wisdom teeth came in my teeth started moving big time.

I ended up being very embarrassed and keeping my mouth closed when smiling. Eventually I had braces again a few years ago. I wear my retainer every night now, and even so my teeth try to move. I was told by the dentist that a fixed wire would reduce the risk of movement but I am not prepared never to be able to floss my teeth again.

@Lucyagain No they have certainly not totally reverted but they are not as perfect as they were while he was wearing the retainer! He is 26 now and has what you would think of as nice teeth but I'm not sure he looks like he has had all the treatment he actually had if that makes sense.

I had 8 (adult) teeth out at 13. Fixed brace until 15 then retainers for about a year. Was told to wear them once a week for the rest of my life. That lasted about 18 months. Am 44 now; my top teeth are are still straight, no gaps while only one tooth in my lower teeth has slightly turned but you would only see it if I went round with my head pointed down and my mouth fully open!

DS notices the difference and teeth shifting within a day or two if he doesn't wear his retainer. He is very much of the school of thought that what was the point of all the work if he isn't going to wear it?

It depends on the type of malocclusion. Some are very prone to relapse, others (eg where a tooth is in cross bite) are largely self retaining.

Doesn't sound like she's hugely committed to the treatment tbh. I don't practise any more but I wouldn't t refer someone who said they weren't happy with permanent retainers.

The teeth are genetically programmed to be where they are, moving them doesn't change t he programming.

I had 4 teeth out and then fixed braces for two years. Never used the retainers as they made me gag. I couldn't fit my tongue in my mouth with them in!

My teeth are still perfect.

Retainers need to be worn for life regardless of if teeth have been taken out. I have a bonded retainer and wear my removable one hardly ever only, when I'm bleaching my teeth. So look into a bonded retainer. If she dosent have the teeth out she most likely won't get the smile she wants. It's very very common for people to have teeth out for braces

Bonded retainers aren't the be all and end all either. It's so case dependent.

I have had adult teeth out 35 years ago and I now wear a denture to replace the malformed teeth. When my denture breaks my teeth shift in less than 24 hours and it takes about a week for them to move back again and for the pain to stop. If she is receiving advice regarding her teeth it will be for a reason.