There is a reason why orthodontists strongly urge patients to wear their retainers after completing braces treatment. Although it might seem like an unnecessary step, this small oral appliance can be the difference between a straighter smile for life or the undoing of years of hard work. If your experience led you toward the latter reality, you may be noticing that your teeth have shifted over the years. Read on to learn why you shouldn’t reach for your old retainer in an attempt to bring your pearly whites back into alignment.
What is the Purpose of a Retainer?
A retainer is commonly used to keep teeth from shifting back to their original position. Crafted from various materials, this oral appliance can be removable or fixed, depending on your needs.
Most patients are instructed to wear their retainer full-time after having their braces removed. Eventually, this can lead to only needing to wear it at night. Of course, this is only possible if the retainer is worn correctly, allowing teeth to integrate with the bone in their new location.
Without regular wear, teeth can start to shift, undoing countless hours of work to bring them into alignment.
Can a Retainer Re-Straighten Teeth?
If you discover that your teeth are no longer aligning properly, you may be tempted to pull your retainer out of the drawer and dust it off. However, you’ll notice that when you try to insert it in your mouth, it doesn’t fit right. There’s a reason for that…your teeth have moved.
The short answer is no, you should not expect your retainer to re-straighten your teeth if you have been without it for years. It does not apply the same kind of force that braces do; instead, they keep teeth in position.
It’s worth noting, however, that if you haven’t worn your retainer for a few weeks or months, it may help readjust your teeth or bite. This is only possible if your bone tissue has not grown, though.
Wearing your retainer as instructed is the only way to ensure that your new smile will stay in place, not just for a few years but for a lifetime.
About the Practice
Treehouse Orthodontics’ four talented orthodontists care about realigning smiles that will last. When treating patients with braces, we ensure appropriate steps are taken after these appliances are removed to keep teeth in their new location. If you were instructed to wear a retainer but now find that your teeth have shifted, visit our websiteor speak to a member of our team about how you can schedule an appointment to discuss what you can do to fix the problem.