Yahoo Answers is shutting down on 4 May 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Have an issue with dental retainer, can it be fixed in office?
I am just curious about this, my orthodontist will not be open until Monday and I wanted to see if anyone knew whether retainers are made in office, or are sent out to be made somewhere else? I had a "permanent" retainer that had to be removed and the orthodontist made me a new removable one. It is one of the retainers that have wires that go along the front of the teeth and have a plastic mold that fits in the bottom of the mouth. There is a lip on one side of the plastic that juts out farther than the other, and it digs very badly into the gums below one molar. It is so bad, I cannot actually press the retainer into place. It would have to be worn loose and upward on that side. I am wondering if the orthodontist will be able to easily remove that little defect in the office, or if he will have to send it out to have the plastic remolded elsewhere. It is a very tiny line of plastic that needs to be shaved or molded down. I am just hoping it will not have to be sent out, because it will likely take more time, more money, and an extra appt. to get it back, if it is sent out somewhere else. Thanks for any answers!
2 Answers
- SandyLv 76 years ago
This is really impossible to answer because we don't know how your orthodontist's office is set up and what equipment they have.
Some offices have the necessary equipment and supplies to make retainers "on-site". Other offices opt to send retainers to an "outside" lab. But they might still have a "hand-piece" with a "bit" that could be used to smooth down a small defect.
When you go to your appointment, be sure you take the retainer with you. It seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how many patients complain about how their retainer fits but then show up to an appointment without it.
Source(s): Orthodontic assistant with over 30 years of experience. - AlexLv 46 years ago
That is a very easy adjustment that will take a couple of minutes in the office.
Source(s): Dentist