Laura’s* story begins with a gorgeous new smile when her braces were removed. “At last the smile I’ve always wanted!” Unfortunately, Laura decided NOT to wear her retainer after a while. “It was a hassle,” Laura complained. She stopped wearing it and months later when she decided to try her retainer again it was so painful that she couldn’t wear it. “My teeth felt like someone was squeezing them with pliers.”
Laura also decided not to go back for her checkups, “After all, I don’t wear braces anymore so I don’t need to see the orthodontist.” Her doctor would most certainly have been able to see the damage and correct it. But Laura waited far too long and when she became really unhappy with the deterioration of that great smile she went to the orthodontist once again.
Back in braces Laura learned that teeth have a memory and will travel back to their original position if not retained. Dr. King encourages all of his patients to wear their retainers so that the smile they dreamed of doesn’t become a nightmare in the future. The best advice to follow is to wear your retainers for as long as you want to keep your incredible smile!
*Name has been changed