“What happens if your teeth move after having braces?”
I am a 29 year old male. I want to know what happens if your teeth move after having braces?
11 Answers
RETURN TO WEARING YOUR RETAINER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Some people's teeth tend to move back a bit after braces, (which is why wearing retainers are important!) and even though they may not move very much (like being back to their original positions prior to braces), they can still cause enough trouble for bite or for esthetics that they may require re-treatment. Sometimes the orthodontic provider who did your braces may be able to use a short amount of time with limited-area re-treatment to fix that relapse. But other times, depending on how much movement your teeth have experienced, you might require full braces again. Please be sure to ask your orthodontic provider to get your best answer!
That means that the patient did NOT wear their retainers as directed. May require a few Invisalign or even braces again.
Without long term retention, maybe lifetime, your teeth will change, no doubt about it. Your entire body changes over time and teeth are no exception, but that does not mean your orthodontic treatment failed or was not done correctly. Some results are more stable than others, but you cannot be careless with long term monitoring. You are responsible to preserve the investment you made to improve yourself.
If your teeth move after having braces, it is usually due to not wearing your retainers. We instruct our patients to wear their retainers full time for the 1st year after getting their braces off, then nighttime the 2nd year, and taper down to 1x/week the 3rd year and continue that regimen the rest of their life. Options for you, should your teeth move after having braces, are: 1-put the braces back on and align the teeth; 2-use clear aligner therapy, like Invisalign and Clear Correct, to align the teeth; 3-Spring aligner or active retainers to align mild movement; and 4-passive retainers to hold the teeth in their current position and prevent them from moving any further. Please see an Orthodontist, a specialist in Orthodontics, about these options for you and remember to wear your retainers for the rest of your life.
Daniel A. Flores, DDS, MS
Daniel A. Flores, DDS, MS
You should have received retainers when your braces were removed. It is very important for you to wear them as instructed. If the teeth are still quite mobile your orthodontist may consider putting in a bonded retainer.
If you follow the instructions for retainer wear/care after braces, you will not have any tooth movement. However, if you experience relapse for any reason, contact your orthodontist immediately. They can give you options to stop or reverse the teeth from relapsing.
Dr. Colin Gibson
Dr. Colin Gibson
Hello,
Teeth will try to move after any orthodontic treatment. Our teeth are designed to move slightly to compensate for wear or changes in function. This means that even the most ideally positioned teeth will have a tendency to move throughout life. In addition, the bones of the face and jaws change slightly and remodel with age which can also contribute to the teeth moving. Orthodontists will make retainers after treatment to maintain the positions of the teeth and prevent this movement. Retainers are commonly worn during sleep to prevent changes and the wear is a long-term commitment.
Thank you for a great question.
Sincerely,
John
Teeth will try to move after any orthodontic treatment. Our teeth are designed to move slightly to compensate for wear or changes in function. This means that even the most ideally positioned teeth will have a tendency to move throughout life. In addition, the bones of the face and jaws change slightly and remodel with age which can also contribute to the teeth moving. Orthodontists will make retainers after treatment to maintain the positions of the teeth and prevent this movement. Retainers are commonly worn during sleep to prevent changes and the wear is a long-term commitment.
Thank you for a great question.
Sincerely,
John
If you don’t wear your retainers as prescribed after getting your braces off, your teeth will start to shift. If that happens, you will need to have re-treatment with either braces or aligners.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Sims, D.M.D, M.S.D.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Sims, D.M.D, M.S.D.
Consult your orthodontist or general dentist. Wear your retainers regularly after orthodontic treatment to avoid tooth movement.
Moving teeth after braces is our body's natural reaction. However, It will not go back where it was and you may accept it, or it can be prevented with "retainer". You may discuss with you orthodontist during consultation.
