Normal for teeth to shift the second your RETAINER is off?

Question

So I'm exaggerating, but not by much. I've been wearing my retainer for 2 YEARS now.

The first year I wore them day and night, except for when eating. I was told after the first year to just wear them at night. Well, this past year (when at home) I still choose to wear them and also when going to bed.

To the point, within an hour of the retainer being off, my teeth start moving. A visible gap begins to show between my two front teeth and grows through the day.

Is this normal?? I haven't been in touch with "my ortho" since the braces came off. There was one follow up appointment and that was it.

Answer 1

the teeth do move if retainer is not worn but not this fast.you are wearing the retainers for 2 years. now if you are not wearing your teeth can show some movement in a week or so . in some orto cases when the case is very complicated like so many teeth has to be moved to properly align them, some times retainers has to be worn life long that too only at night or one can opt for fixed type of retainers. for more information you can visit www.identalhub.com. they have good articles on braces and the retainers after the braces.

Answer 2

I have a friend who gets a gap between her two front teeth no matter how often she wore her retainers. They talked to the ortho and they said that maybe surgery would correct the issue, but nothing seems to work short of veneers (which my friend doesn't want). So now she has a small gap between her two front teeth and it's ok. Doesn't look too noticeable.

So, I'm not sure if it's "normal" per se, but it certainly can happen.