Teeth moving back after braces is a common problem, and it can be very frustrating. After wearing braces for months, or even years, the last thing you want is to find that your teeth are moving back to their old position.
This kind of relapse can be quite distressing, leaving you feeling like the whole painful process of having braces was a waste of time.
This article looks at some of the reasons why your teeth might have moved back, and what options you have now to get your smile looking great again.
Why do teeth move after braces?
There are many reasons why your teeth shift after you’ve worn braces. Every day your teeth are under different pressures. When you speak, your tongue repeatedly presses against your teeth. When you chew, your teeth come under repeated pressure. Even when you smile, or when you sneeze, various muscles in your mouth and in your face move. Over time, this can have an effect on the position of your teeth.
Besides these factors, things like ageing, grinding your teeth in your sleep, and even genetics can affect the position of your teeth. Unfortunately, teeth always follow the path of least resistance, so if there is nothing holding them in place, your teeth are liable to move.
Not wearing retainer after braces
There is only one thing that can be done to stop teeth moving – wearing your retainer. Your orthodontist probably recommended you to wear a retainer every day for many months. After this initial period, you were likely told to continue wearing it for 3 to 5 nights a week for over a year. Some dentists recommend that you should wear your retainer for several nights a week for life.
Unfortunately, for many people, it’s too late for that. There is a whole generation of people who wore metal braces in their teenage years. After the ordeal of train-tracks is over, the last thing the average teenager wants is to wear a retainer. But without wearing a retainer as recommended by your orthodontist, you can end up paying the price for years to come.
Straightening teeth with a retainer
If you still have your old retainers lying around, you might feel tempted to wear them to move your teeth back. But this is not what retainers are designed for. If your teeth have moved significantly, your old retainer will obviously be uncomfortable to wear. But more importantly, if your old retainer does not fit accurately, it may damage your teeth.
In some rare cases, your orthodontist may confirm that you can still use your old retainers. But if your teeth have moved in any significant way, they will likely recommend a new set of braces.
So what should you do after an orthodontic relapse?
Get your teeth straight again with Smilelign
The good news is that if you want to get your teeth straight again, it’s easier than ever. Smilelign clear aligners are almost invisible, and are perfect for realigning teeth that have moved back after braces.
Trusted by orthodontists across the UK, Smilelign can be used to treat crowding, spacing, overjet, overbite, openbite, and midline discrepancies.
Ready to transform your smile?
Find your nearest Smilelign provider and take the first step towards straighter teeth today. Book a consultation now and see how Smilelign can work for you!
