Over the last few months or years, have you noticed that your teeth are starting to drift out of position. This is known as orthodontic relapse, and it happens to upwards of 50% of patients following their orthodontic treatment. If you’re one of them, then you might be tempted to start wearing your retainer again. Before you do, keep reading to find out if retainers can re-straighten teeth.
True or False: Retainers Can Re-Straighten Your Teeth
If you are interested in wearing your retainer again, it’s important to first check if it still fits. If it doesn’t, don’t force it over your teeth; this will only lead to further problems. If it does slide over your teeth easily, however, then you should start wearing it each night while you sleep. Although adopting this habit won’t straighten your teeth, it will help prevent them from moving further out of position.
What You Should Do If Your Teeth Aren’t Straight Anymore
Simply put, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to explore your treatment options. Whether they recommend traditional braces, Invisalign, or another teeth-straightening solution, there’s a good chance that you won’t need to invest as much time as you did previously. In other words, if you originally wore braces for 3+ years, this round of orthodontic treatment will probably be a fraction of that.
How To: Prevent Orthodontic Relapse Moving Forward
If you’re interested in getting braces again so your teeth move back into their perfectly aligned positions, then make sure to follow all of the treatment guidelines given to you. That includes wearing your retainer consistently afterward to prevent your teeth from drifting out of position again. If, on the other hand, you want to start wearing your old retainer again, then do your best to adopt good habits, like cleaning it regularly and storing it properly so it doesn’t get damaged in any way.
Orthodontic relapse can be incredibly frustrating, especially after investing your valuable time and money. The good news is that you have options. If your retainer still fits, then you can wear it to prevent further movement. If it doesn’t fit, then you can contact your orthodontist to see if you’re a candidate for traditional braces or Invisalign!
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Orthodontics – Grafton isn’t just here to straighten your teeth; we’re here to help you maintain your hard-earned results for a lifetime! That’s why we offer multiple orthodontic services, create personalized treatment plans, and provide custom orthodontic appliances, like retainers. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us – whether to get a new retainer or to see if you’re a candidate for braces – then reach out to us via our website or by phone at (508) 839-9350.