Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process. They move to the front of the mouth, particularly those on the bottom arch, which can cause crowding, wear and aesthetic problems.
Tooth relapse after braces is very common, especially in the first year after braces. The cause is simple: your teeth have been moved, but they haven't become fully fixed in their new places yet. When braces and other orthodontic treatments move your teeth, they cause your body to remodel bone around your teeth.
In most cases, wearing an old retainer can realign your smile so long as your teeth have not shifted into an entirely new position. As a rule of thumb, wearing an old retainer should not be an issue so long as it still fits without needing to apply any force while inserting it over your teeth.
Fortunately, after you end your treatment, you have time to ensure they stay that way, as teeth take several years to fully shift back into their old positions. Most orthodontics recommend wearing retainers full-time for nine months to reduce post-braces teeth shifting.
If you use a cheap retainer, it may have micro-cracks that you are not aware of. These cracks prevent the retainer from doing its proper job which may result in your teeth shifting even if you wear a retainer. Hand-crafting a retainer is an important job.
Without a retainer, your teeth will begin to shift back to where they were before. “As we age, our teeth do naturally shift some on their own,” says Dr. Santiago Surillo. “But, wearing your retainer can help ensure that any shifting that does occur is minimal and you can keep the straight smile you have after braces.”
Baby and permanent teeth are both slightly pliable because of your periodontal ligaments, the small muscle fibers that hold the roots of your teeth in place. Although some movement is normal, if a tooth can move more than 1 mm, it has greater mobility than it should.
It's natural for teeth to want to move back to where they were. Even if you wore braces for three years, your teeth have a long memory. Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process.
Never try to force your old retainer in your mouth. This can not only damage your retainer, but damage your smile too. If you have to exert any force to fit your retainer, see your orthodontist first and do not put it in your mouth.
A few months or years: Don't even attempt to wear an old retainer if it's been several months or years! It's very unlikely to fit, and it could become stuck, cause pain, and even potentially damage your teeth and tissues. Instead, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist and take your old retainer with you.
If you've worn braces before, and you're wondering if you can wear them again, the answer is yes! We've helped hundreds of patients to straighten their smile for a second time. If your teeth have shifted after braces, you're not alone. Maybe you stopped wearing your retainers or weren't happy with your result.
Wear Your Retainer Regularly
The easiest way to stop your teeth from shifting after you get your braces off is to wear your retainer. As soon as your braces come off, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and have retainers custom made for your new smile.
Patients with irregular retainer use are most likely to experience a total relapse within two years post-retention. This is because your teeth shift out of their new position without pressure from the force of the retainer.
If you force it into place, it could become stuck, damage your teeth, and cause problems for your roots and jaw. Instead, make an appointment with an orthodontist. They may be able to adjust your old retainer, or you may need to get a new one altogether.
Our orthodontists say the first three months after debonding (getting braces removed) are the most critical, as your teeth are still getting used to the new positions. This period is when it's easiest for your teeth to move without retainers.
That's because your teeth have shifted out of position. While the retainer shouldn't rip your teeth out of your gums, it could cause them to become loose. That's due to the pressure they put on the teeth. Aside from that, after years of not wearing your retainer, it probably isn't in the best shape.
As mentioned, your teeth will shift slightly throughout your life. However, if you have had a tooth or teeth extraction, the surrounding teeth may shift to fill the space. There is no time length when this will occur, as it could happen over a matter of months or years.
Ideally, you should schedule an examination with your dentist as soon as you notice that an adult tooth has become loose. If left alone, the condition can gradually worsen and cause damage to the root and gums, which can lead to infection.
The most common way for a dentist to treat a loose tooth is using a splint to stabilize it. The procedure involves using a splint to attach the tooth to the teeth surrounding it. This holds the loose tooth in place, giving it a chance to re-bond with the surrounding bone structures.
One tooth secret most people don't know is that our teeth are actually supposed to move. They respond to repeated bite pressure by moving slowly to accommodate the pressure. If your bite is properly balanced, these forces keep your teeth straight, since that helps to balance the pressure of biting and chewing.
Necessity to Repeat Treatment
Therefore, if you skip retainers during it, you risk losing all the orthodontic progress you've just made. “Since the teeth shift without the retainer, the patient would require getting braces all over again.
Typically, retainers can cost anywhere from $250 to $600 per set without insurance. The final cost will largely depend on whether you choose a permanent or removable retainer, the specific circumstances of your treatment, and which orthodontic practice provides your treatment.
The good news is, after some time it won't be necessary to wear them as often. Though the process becomes slower and slower, if you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will gradually move back to their original position. In a way, teeth remember their original position.
The drawbacks of permanent retainers are that they: can make it more difficult to clean and floss the teeth. may trap in food particles that eventually cause cavities or gum disease. may cause discomfort when a person's tongue brushes against the wire.
Permanent retainers aren't truly permanent. They're only called “permanent” because they can't be removed easily, unlike removable retainers. Permanent retainers do eventually wear out, but they've been known to last for upwards of 20 years. When they wear out, they can be removed and replaced.