Teeth can relapse in as little as one to two weeks after Invisalign treatment. This varies from person to person, but we expect teeth to move back faster if retainers are not worn as instructed.
Your teeth may look perfect after Invisalign, but they will gradually begin to move back to their originally desired place within the first few weeks.
After Invisalign treatment, an orthodontist can complete minor reshaping, but if it's more involved, find an advanced cosmetic dentist. It's unlikely that your general dentist has enough experience to reshape your teeth precisely. At times, cosmetic dentists use composite bonding to finish the case.
Ultimately, your retainers are made to keep your teeth in place, not to move them, but they may be able to slightly shift your teeth back in the right circumstances. If it has been too long and your old retainer no longer fits snugly, you should contact your dentist in order to come up with a solution.
Ligaments aren't fixed – The name of the connector that attaches each tooth to a jaw bone is the periodontal ligament. Ligaments aren't hard like bones. Instead, they are elastic. These ligaments are why orthodontic treatments can move teeth to begin with, and why they can move after treatment.
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.
If you have minor dental issues, your dentist will initially suggest wearing retainers full-time for 2-3 months. But you might have to wear your retainers for over 6 months if you have severe dental problems. However, the good news is that you do not have to wear your retainers forever.
The First 2 Years: After your initial time of full-time wear, you will be able to start wearing your retainers during sleep only. From the Third Year to the Rest of Your Life: Now, you can wear your retainers a little bit less. Skipping an occasional night or two is no big deal.
A few days or a week: After a very short absence of a few days or a week, it's likely that your retainer will still fit and be able to fix any minor changes in your smile. A few weeks or a month: After a slightly longer period of a few weeks or a month, your retainer may not feel comfortable to wear.
Our teeth never stop moving! After treatment, you may notice minor shifts in your teeth in about four weeks, especially if you're not wearing your retainer consistently. More visible shifts may appear after about two to three months.
It's normal for your teeth to slightly shift after having your Invisalign braces removed or once you stop wearing Invisalign. This is the result of everyday wear and tear on your teeth as you bite down, chew, swallow, and speak.
The simplest explanation for why teeth get crooked again after orthodontic treatment is because your teeth haven't become fully fixed in their new positions yet. Orthodontic treatment involves moving your teeth into proper alignment, and as a part of this, they cause your body to remodel bone around your teeth.
| Does Clear Aligners Change Face Shape? You may be surprised to know that braces and clear aligners do much more than just straighten teeth; in fact, they also change your jawline, lips and overall facial profile.
While headaches and mouth discomfort are temporary side effects some people experience when they start their Invisalign treatment, demineralization is a relatively common side effect that's long-term. Demineralization can cause white spots to appear on a patient's teeth.
Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete. Adults need to wear their retainers for life, but adolescents may be able to stop wearing them after about 10 years.
In short, you'll have to wear your retainers for the rest of your life after finishing Invisalign treatment. It might sound inconvenient, but it's well worth the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, straight, healthy smile for life!
Your teeth have an elastic memory and will always want to return to their original placement. If your teeth are moving with a retainer, it may be because you aren't wearing it enough. Stick to a strict nightly routine and wear your retainer every night to keep your teeth in place.
In most cases, a tight retainer won't damage your teeth or gums. You may experience some discomfort during your first few days of retainer treatment. However, your discomfort will likely go away after a few days. If things don't improve, or your pain worsens, you should talk to your orthodontist about your concerns.
After putting on the removable retainer, it may be tight (which means your teeth have shifted) and that is OK. If it does not fit at all, your teeth have likely shifted a lot and you will require an appointment with your orthodontist.
If you neglect to wear your retainer, your teeth may move back into their original position. This is what may happen if you do not wear your retainer after treatment with braces. Your teeth will begin to move back into their initial place as soon as your braces are removed.
If you haven't worn your retainer for a long time, the best thing you can do is start using it as soon as possible! This will prevent your teeth from relapsing further. Ideally, your retainer should still fit even though your teeth have likely moved.
When a retainer feels tight and makes your teeth sore, most of the time it is because you have not been wearing it enough. Even a slight movement that is hard to visually see with your eyes can be enough to make your retainer feel tight.
This is the retainer most people picture when they think “retainer.” Made of wire securely attached to an acrylic base, the Hawley retainer keeps the teeth in place, and can even be adjusted, if needed, to improve alignment. They generally last anywhere from three to ten years.
Get in touch as soon as you can
The first thing you should do if you've lost your retainers is give your orthodontist or dentist a call as soon as you can. To make your new retainers, they may need to book you in for a new set of impressions (moulds of your teeth).
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.