Can metal braces be used as a retainer?

P

partnerwantsbraces

Newbie
Just wondering if you've been told that you'll have to wear Essix retainer 24/7 for two months after the braces come off, could you ask your ortho to retain your teeth for two months using braces instead of a retainer?
 
Don't have the answer but it's one of my absolute dream that fixed braces could be used as a retainer after a treatment, temporary or permanent, to make the treatment last more and more.

 
Yes that works. My ortho asked me if I would like to wear it for 3 months longer. Just say that you don't deal well with loose things
 
Thanks, so if they said you need to wear 24/7 retainer after braces for two months then leaving the braces on for two months instead accomplishes the same thing?
 
My guess is that the primary consideration would be oral hygiene.  If you are scrupulous about keeping everything clean, my guess would be that fixed appliances might even be preferable as Essix retainers wouldn't allow circulation of saliva.  That might even be true on the lingual surfaces with Hawley retainers.  You'll probably have to earn the right to ask for the extension.
 
It has always been my understanding that something similar to this is what orthodontists used to do, before.it became fashionable to get braces off the moment teeth were straight.

Not for a major length of time, but on a sort of "your teeth are straight, so we'll remove your braces next time - 6 weeks later or whenever' so they had a period of being held in place without much pressure from the braces - especially knowing that few people are 100% diligent with retainer wear.

Certainly I recall a number of my friends being told something along those lines.
 
Agreed. My wife had a period of no treatment during her braces due to various factors (moving house, ortho retiring, covid) for 5 years or so

She is meticulous with her oral hygiene and had no issues with cavities or decay. Her braces at the time were self ligating with steel archwires and she had wire lacing on the front 6, upper and lower so there was no active pressure on from NiTi wires or elastomerics

However, over time she did have some spaces open up, particularly her (almost closed) extraction gaps, which opened up to 5mm or larger. They weren't protected by wire lacing however

Charlie0186 said:
My guess is that the primary consideration would be oral hygiene.  If you are scrupulous about keeping everything clean, my guess would be that fixed appliances might even be preferable as Essix retainers wouldn't allow circulation of saliva.  That might even be true on the lingual surfaces with Hawley retainers.  You'll probably have to earn the right to ask for the extension.
Click to expand...
 
Today it’s exactly one month till my dream will come true and I will get my braces on - in the age of 54!
It will be full metal brackets on top and bottom, for about 18-20 months, to get my gaps closed.
18-20 months may sound long for some, but bot for an enthusiast like me. So I like the idea of leaving them in. I‘ll definitely ask for it.
But now I still have to wait for the big day - counting the days ????
 
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