Straight teeth are possible to achieve but whether they stay that way is another story. To prevent what’s known as , our Grand Rapids orthodontists will give you a custom-made orthodontic retainer to wear once you’re done with either braces or Invisalign® clear aligners.
The last thing you want is to be told that your teeth have shifted back into their original positions after months of treatment. Not only is this disappointing, but it can affect the appearance of your smile, bite relationship, and oral health.
Here’s what you need to know about and why it’s worth your while to do so.
How Retainers Stop Teeth from Moving
If you want to avoid misalignment after braces or aligners, you have to consistently wear your orthodontic retainer(s). Being lax about retainer use can lead to you regretting it down the road. For the most part, tooth movement is preventable so it’s essential you use the tools we’ve given you.
You may not see your teeth moving at first, but the changes will become more noticeable over time. For example, your retainer may feel tight and uncomfortable if you haven’t worn it for a week or so. If you consistently wear the oral appliance as instructed, it should comfortably fit.
Your teeth slightly shifting after having braces removed or once you stop wearing Invisalign is normal. This is the result of the everyday wear and tear on your teeth as you bite down, chew, swallow, and speak. The orthodontic retainer is designed to prevent these noticeable changes and keep your teeth where they should be so you can maintain a beautiful smile.
What Can I Expect 12 Months After Braces or Invisalign?
Your teeth are partly held in place by the surrounding jawbone. During orthodontic treatment, your jawbone often softens or disappears (a process called resorption) so teeth can move into their final positions.
Once you no longer have braces or wear Invisalign, you need to wear orthodontic retainers so your teeth are held in place while new bone is deposited. It takes about 9 to 12 months for your body to build up enough bone to stabilize teeth.
After 12 months have passed, you should have enough new bone deposited around your teeth to keep them stable. For this reason, you won’t have to wear your as frequently to maintain your beautifully straight smile. Our orthodontists may recommend only wearing your retainers 3 to 5 times a week once you’ve hit this point.
While your teeth won’t move as dramatically once the jawbone regains bone tissue, they will slightly move forward and inward as you get older. This change isn’t something you notice overnight, but rather something that gradually happens over decades.
Do I Need Retainers After Invisalign?
Yes, you’ll need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment. Even though clear aligners move teeth differently from metal or ceramic braces, the result is still the same. You’ll need to wear retainers after any kind of teeth straightening if you don’t want to undo what was just achieved.
Are There Different Types of Retainers?
Yes, there are two primary : removable and fixed. The type of retainer you are given will depend on your specific dental situation but it is not uncommon for patients to receive a combination of both. For example, a removable retainer for the upper teeth and a fixed retainer for the bottom.
Removable retainers are exactly that, removable. Our orthodontists will inform you on exactly how long you will need to wear your retainer full time and then how often it will need to be worn long term. You will need to be sure to clean the retainer as instructed.
Fixed retainers are bonded to your teeth in a way that can’t be clearly seen, such as on the back of your teeth. Because it is not removable, extra care will need to be taken with this type of retainer to remove food particles and prevent periodontal issues.
What If I Lose My Retainer?
If you lose your retainer, call one of our offices to schedule an appointment. Whether you accidentally threw out your retainer on your lunch tray or the dog broke it, we can get you fitted for a new retainer as soon as possible so you don’t lose the progress you made with orthodontic treatment. During your appointment, we’ll take digital impressions of your teeth to create a new retainer.
What If My Retainer Is Too Tight?
Your retainer may feel tight if you haven’t worn it recently or as often as our orthodontists recommended. This is because it doesn’t take much time for your teeth to start shifting toward their original positions. It’s also normal for teeth to shift a little as you get older.
Depending on the degree of tooth movement, there are several ways our orthodontists can treat . For minimal shifting 1-2 years after braces or aligners, we can try to use the same retainer you were issued originally to encourage teeth to inch back into position. This is the easiest solution because it involves an appliance you already have and one that is molded to you.
However, when the original retainer no longer fits, we move on to plan B. We can create a new retainer to help encourage teeth and restore your smile. It’s when teeth have shifted significantly that our orthodontists may suggest a new phase of treatment though it may prove to be much shorter this time around.
In other words, if your retainer feels really tight, schedule an appointment with one of our orthodontists. Don’t try to force the appliance over your teeth.
Request an Appointment Today
Our , are dedicated to helping patients achieve their best smiles and keep them after treatment is done. To schedule a consultation with one of our orthodontists and talk retainers or additional treatment, call Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics today at (616) 455-4800 or contact us online.
This blog post has been updated.