Can retainers complete the job of the braces after the braces are taken off?
Yes and no. It depends on how much your teeth have shifted and in what direction. For gaps, retainers usually work quite well, but as far as an overbite, it should have been well corrected from the completed orthodontic treatment of braces. Did you not wear your retainers 24/7 when you first got them off? I lost my retainers about 2 months after getting my braces off, my bottom teeth shifted and I had to go back in braces for another 6 months. Usually, your orthodontist will cover the charges if you really feel you would like to get the braces back for a short time (1 year or less) to make the changes you’d feel more confident with if it has been less then a year. Lastly, check out http://www.olyortholab.com/retainers.html titled “hawley 3×3” which looks like your best bet to correct the front teeth shifting forward. Hope this helps!
