The day you got your braces off, you looked your orthodontist straight in the eye and promised you’d wear your retainer—and you meant it. But then…life happened! Months turned into years, and all the while, your retainer remained in its case. Then one morning, you suddenly notice that your straight teeth aren’t so straight anymore. Maybe it’s time to see what this retainer thing is all about! Late is certainly better than never, but could this really help if your teeth have shifted years after having braces?
In Short…No
Retainers play an important role in the orthodontic process. Basically, braces or clear aligners move your teeth into the proper alignment, and then a retainer ensures they stay in these new positions. Otherwise, the teeth will naturally drift back to their starting positions.
A retainer allows the gums, bone, and ligaments that determine the position of your teeth to “settle” and become stable after they have freshly remodeled themselves. But when you don’t wear it, a lot of the progress from orthodontics can ultimately undo itself, often just months or even years later.
All this is to say that while retainers are effective, they can’t be used to move teeth.
Some Good News
HOWEVER, your old retainer (if it still fits) can help by preventing your teeth from becoming even more crooked. Essentially, it can stop the backsliding. But if you want to fix the issues that have freshly developed, then you’ll need to talk to an orthodontist.
This is an issue they encounter all the time, so much so that there is a name for it: orthodontic relapse. It can typically be corrected with a relatively short Invisalign treatment. While the average Invisalign case usually requires 12-18 months, more moderate changes can be achieved after just six months or less with relatively few trays.
Retainer to the Rescue?
If you want your teeth to stop moving, your retainer can be a big help, but the only way to straighten them is by undergoing (albeit truncated) orthodontic treatment. Wearing your old retainer is a good stop-gap measure so things won’t get worse, but it isn’t a solution you should count on.
About the Practice
Schoharie Dental is a multi-specialty dental practice that includes a team of general dentists, pediatric dentists, and an experienced orthodontist, Dr. Cheryl Sorbero. Since completing her specialty training through the Howard University College of Dentistry, she has spent over 20 years helping countless patients overcome orthodontic relapse with both braces and Invisalign.
If you think your teeth might be moving (and you want to make it stop), click here to request an appointment or call (518) 254-5664.