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.
Teeth moving back to their old positions
Once the pressure from the braces is lost, the ligaments activate their muscle memory and remember the old positions of your teeth, shifting them back after your braces treatment.
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.
There is only one thing that can be done to stop teeth from shifting - wearing your retainer. Your orthodontist probably recommended you to wear a retainer every day for many months. After this initial period, your dentists probably told you to continue wearing it for 3 to 5 nights a week for over a year.
Once orthodontic treatment is complete, the bone will fully rebuild, and teeth won't feel loose anymore. Braces are a safe procedure and won't cause teeth to fall out. However, it's possible to get gum disease with braces, so it's essential to practice good oral hygiene during a braces treatment.
Retainers are appliances used to hold your teeth in their proper position following your orthodontic treatment. Since the human body never stops changing, the retainers hold the teeth still, so while the bones and ligaments change around the roots, the crowns of the teeth remain in the corrected beautiful position.
Braces and Invisalign do not cause teeth to become weaker, looser, or fall out in healthy people. Braces can be a good option for those with poor periodontal health.
Teeth shifting after braces is called orthodontic relapse. While this can be frustrating, it's normal for your teeth to shift a small amount after finishing orthodontic treatment.
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.
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.
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.
Because teeth shift naturally and may move because of other factors, you'll have to wear your retainer part-time indefinitely to protect your corrected bite and smile. Some people will have to wear a retainer for at least 10 years. Many orthodontists recommend wearing the retainer part-time for the rest of your life.
After tightening your braces, it is common for your teeth to feel slightly loose for the first two to three days after the adjustment. This does not imply that your tooth will become permanently loose as a result of the situation. It is not anything that ought to cause any cause for alarm.
Apparently, this is completely normal. In fact, your teeth can continue to move throughout your life, even if you've never had braces.
Typically, the lateral incisors or the teeth next to your front teeth are the most challenging to move with Invisalign aligners and traditional braces.
Mix a tablespoon of salt in 6 ounces of warm water and swish vigorously around in your mouth. Continue this at least for a minute before you rinse, spit and repeat. This will draw out all that hidden bacteria effectively. Gradually, your gums will begin to strengthen and so will the loose tooth.
Because it's bonded to the inside of the teeth, a fixed retainer is completely invisible when you speak or smile. It can last five years, ten years, and in some cases, even longer.
For most orthodontic treatment, a majority of orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer for at least 10 years after you get your braces off or finish your aligner treatment. It's perfectly normal for many people to wear their retainers for the rest of their lives.
How many hours should you wear your retainer? The first three months after you've completed your orthodontic treatment you need to wear your retainers full-time, which means approximately 22 hours a day. That does mean you will need to sleep with them. However, you can remove them when you eat or brush your teeth.
Both types of removable retainers can experience wear and tear over time. Acrylic removable retainers, referred to as Hawley retainers, may last up to 10 years. Plastic removable retainers may not last nearly as long and will likely need to be replaced more frequently.
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. Call your orthodontist to see if it's safe to wear it. A few months or years: Don't even attempt to wear an old retainer if it's been several months or years!
Yes, your orthodontist will be able to tell from the alignment of your teeth if you aren't wearing your retainer at night time. Your orthodontist will not force you to wear your retainer if you really don't want to, but they will encourage you to consider this for the success of your treatment.