Wore braces for years but now my teeth are going back where they were.

[jenroy29]

I had to wear braces on both sets of teeth from age 11 to about 14, I was really goofy and my bottom teeth were too spread out. I want to know if anyone else thinks that their braces have damaged their teeth, made them more prone to decay etc. And also if their teeth are moving back to where they were like mine are. Appreciate all replies whether you agree or not.

I feel your pain!

I had 8 teeth removed due to overcrowding/ malocclusion and braces from 11 - 16 (only retainers at night for last two years)

Then my wisdom teeth came in,and my teeth started crowding again. I also thought my teeth stained much more easily where the grips and cement had been.

Now my wisdom teeth are fully through and my teeth look awful, I have fans on top and crowded front bottom ones.

I'm hoping to pay for private care now - but it will be a faff and cost a fortune now I can't get nhs.

I'll be really interested to read replies to this. I don't think my braces damaged my teeth, but they are moving. I used to have a massive overbite, that the braces sorted - but it is gradually coming back (probably only noticable to me to be honest).

My biggest problem is that my teeth are spreading out, so I've now got quite big gaps. This has happened over the last 5 years. In effect, the braces only fixed my teeth for 10 years.

OP - how long before yours started moving back?

Yes to both.
My orthodontist decided in his wisdom to file the tips of my teeth to make them even, the fool. I now have very sensitive teeth.

My two top front teeth have also gone back to the very slight overlap they had before I had the brace- it really was not worth the bother and frankly was never that noticable.

I have a feeling I was just a money-making case for my dentist

I had a very simple one-line brace to pull in my two front teeth. It worked brilliantly and they stayed neatly in place for about 20 years, until I had my four (compacted) wisdom teeth removed. Now one of my front teeth has moved - I suspect the removal of the wisdom teeth gave all the others the space to roam around my jaw.

I wore a brace for several years but my top teeth have crowded again so that my front two overlap quite badly. I HATE it! But the only option is to pay £2k to have them fixed privately, which is never going to happen.

I think this is the problem - orthodonstists want to 'fix at a young age but don't always wait to see if it is best in the long run. I suppose because it's better to have it as a young teen than in, say early 20's. I am certain had I had mine ' fixed' in my early 20's when my teeth had fully grown that they would be fine now.

All those hours of pain, money and for nothing.

Mine have moved again since my wisdom teeth came in, in my early twenties. Top two front teeth overlap again slightly and the bottom are overcrowded. Still much better than they were but 3 years of pain and appointments seem wasted.

I don't think mine have been any more prone to decay, all strong and healthy, I do see a hygienist every 3 months though as my canine teeth stain easily where the glue has stuck to them.

LovelyBertha
I reckon mine were straight for about 10 years aswell, from a confidence point of view I think they were done at the right time being a goofy teenager wouldn't have been fun!
PixieOnaLeaf
If you don't mind, how much did your retainer cost?