<p>My orthodontist told me that I needed to wear my retainers for the rest of my life, or else my teeth will go back to where they were before I paid to have them fixed. Will USNA allow me to have them during plebe summer?</p>
<p>It would absolute stupidity if they didn't. Can he put in permanent retainers to keep the front striaght and give you the other kind to wear at night? That is what mine is doing.</p>
<p>I will have retainers there also.</p>
<p>Well, I can speak from experience that they will NOT go back to where they were. They will move a little, but not go back to what they were.</p>
<p>I don't think anyone at USNA will care so long is it doesn't mess with the uniform or prevents you from speaking clearly.</p>
<p>Sierra will be bringing her retainer as well. She opted NOT to have the permanent one put in - her call.</p>
<p>Your orthodontist's advice seems a little harsh given my experience -- two kids in braces -- one boy, one girl -- different growth patterns, etc. You don't say whether you are a boy or a girl.</p>
<p>Son -- some boys can keep growing until 22 or more. They can even have a late growth spurt in their facial bones. Son has grown over two inches since graduating from high school, now finishing junior year. His plan -- wear retainers full time until he stops growing, then there are months of decreasing wear until wearing only at night.</p>
<p>Daughter -- just finishing high school -- done growing, but wisdom teeth are still in. She will wear retainers full time until wisdom teeth make their move, then taper down to night wear.</p>
<p>Our orthodontist generally doesn't believe in permanent retainers. Some orthodontists believe in "retention for life" but that could be permanent or removable retainers. Permanent retainers do require a little more attention to dental hygiene. </p>
<p>My husband is USNA Class of I'm not going to tell you because it makes him sound really old. I simply cannot imagine them not letting you wear your retainers as prescribed. </p>
<p>I'm not an orthodontist, but I paid one a lot of money. My advice -- talk to you orthodontist about the pros and cons of permanent retention given what you will face during plebe summer. You spend a lot of time doing things where you wouldn't wear your retainers. And please don't do what my son did. He left his retainers in a pocket, changed clothes, left pants on floor with retainers in pocket, stepped on pants and crunched his retainers. Now he was 1500 miles from home getting retainers replaced.</p>
<p>When I got my braces off at 17, my orthodontist told me to wear my retainers for 6 months and then stop. I noticed my teeth moved so much even during the day, that I kept wearing retainers at night through college. Only when I got married at 22 did I stop wearing my retainers. And my teeth have so moved that you'd think maybe I didn't ever have braces. I learned my lesson.</p>
<p>Fast forward....5 kids and 5 sets of braces later. Oldest is 29..STILL wears retainers at night, along with my other married daughters in their mid twenties and college 22 yr. old son. Without that, all teeth moved.</p>
<p>USNA-bound child on her own came to ME and asked about getting a permanent retainer - realizing that in military life wearing a retainer at night could get dicey. We asked the orthodontist who did her teeth and he told he he doesn't do that. Fortunately we have another orthodontist who did children #1, and #3's teeth and HE does permanent retainers. We made an appointment - he checked her out and agreed with her that in her case, a permanent retainer made sense. He too, doesn't do them alot, and sometimes feels they aren't in the patient's best interest, but for our daughter...next week she goes for her impressions and permanent bottom retainer. He said that's all she should need - and it's only a small wire bonded between the 2 bottom canine teeth running behind the front bottom teeth. Total cost? $225. This guy has a 'cadillac' view of ortho care ( his office is totally decked out like Disneyland and so elaborate I don't even like the place - I feel like I'm in an amusement park...but kids LOVE the place) but I thought that was a dirt cheap price.For the record I called her orthodontist and asked what the cost of replacement retainers would be, if she lost or damaged her top and bottom retainers...That price? $375 for the full set. </p>
<p>Wow - permanent retainers turn out to be a bargain and in our case something that should be interesting to see how they work for her.</p>
<p>I've had the permanent bottom retainer since 7th grade. I recently asked my orthodontist about wearing it at USNA, and he said it would be fine, but he recommended getting it off once I get commissioned and into the fleet.</p>
<p>Instead of armchair dental advise, discuss the matter with both your orthodontist and your general dentist. Just make sure they have communicated with each other. You will get the more acurate picture of your dental situation this way. After they've communicated with each other and then offered a joint opinion,then relay this to the appropriate powers at the academy.</p>
<p>I'm under the impression that permanent retainers are to keep the front teeth in place. The back teeth could still move without a normal retainer. My orthodontist gives permanent retainers to all patients. It doesn't seem it requires any extra care. There is no place for food to get stuck. It is simply a thick wire running behind your front teeth to keep them from moving. That's all. You wear the other retainers when you want or at night to keep all teeth in place.</p>
<p>Also, in the paperwork sent by the Academy it says they will do their best to accomodate people who still actually have braces. I don't see how they could complain about people with retainers when people may be walking around in full orthodontia.</p>
<p>Disclaimer... I am not an orthodontist. For all I know a permanent retainer may not be good for you. All I know is I'm not worried about it at all. The Academy doesn't seem to be all that foolish to me.</p>
<p>My roommate has her retainers but I haven't been keeping a good check up on her and now they don't fit in her mouth because she wasn't wearing them as often as she should. tisk tisk</p>
<p>Mine got to where I couldn't get them in...easily...they went in eventually with some serious effort. </p>
<p>I wear them everynight now, cause once they move its hard to get em back</p>