Braces straighten crooked teeth, align smiles, close gaps. However, there are various circumstances that cause teeth to go crooked again. Quite often it’s non-compliance (hello, retainer) and sometimes it’s the age and stage of life. Find out what can be done to fix crooked teeth after braces, even if it’s long after you’ve worn them.
Common Causes of Orthodontic Relapse
- Not wearing a retainer: Most orthodontic patients wear their retainer every night, forever. It sounds daunting, but once you get used to the appliance, it’s part of the routine, just like brushing and flossing. Neglecting to wear your retainer a few times is usually not of much consequence but ignoring the appliance altogether will eventually lead to disaster.
- Teeth grinding: Tooth enamel is the toughest substance in the body and the pressure that teeth can put on each other when you unconsciously grind them together can cause serious damage. Aligned teeth can begin to shift because of this vigorous movement and muscle habits.
- Tooth loss: To keep your aligned smile where the orthodontist put it, you must maintain healthy teeth and gums. If gum disease or other infections develop, you could find yourself suffering tooth loss. If this problem is left untreated, it can lead to shifting teeth and tissue damage.
- Aging: Alas, part of the aging process involves shifting teeth. Crowding and wear are the biggest complications, as well as changes in gum and bone health that impact the stability of tooth positions. Health problems can influence tooth movement too.
Types of Treatment to Fix Crooked Teeth After Braces
The good news is there is always a way to fix crooked teeth after braces so they are straight once again. Mild misalignment, which ideally is what most orthodontic relapse is for previous patients, can often be corrected with light Invisalign treatment. This may mean:
- Getting a new retainer to shift teeth back in place.
- Wearing the retainer around the clock for a while except during meals.
- Getting Invisalign trays to wear on top teeth.
- Treatment may only last three to six months.
Your orthodontist will evaluate the condition of your teeth now before making a recommendation. Gathering information about the first round of orthodontics is helpful, but treatment will commence so the current state of your smile is addressed fully.
Put Embarrassment Aside and Tend to Your Smile
No one wants to go to the orthodontist again after a year or more of treatment years ago, but sometimes this move is necessary so you can give yourself the healthiest, strongest smile possible. You only get one set of adult teeth and keeping them in good condition is critical. If your teeth have begun to shift, for whatever reason, it’s time to put pride away and get the work done that will help you keep your teeth permanently.
When teeth are straight, they look better, feel better, function better, and, above all, they are less likely to suffer from tooth decay, infections, or other oral health problems. No matter what kind of condition your smile is in right now, if your once-straight teeth are moving out of formation, contact Dr. Soleil at Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA, to find out why and get started on a new path.
