Orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign have the potential to straighten your smile for a lifetime, but only if you take the right steps to protect your results. If you’ve neglected to wear your retainer as instructed, you may discover that your teeth aren’t as aligned as they were when you finished your treatment. You still have your old retainer… could wearing it help re-straighten your teeth? Read on as your Lawrence orthodontist breaks down how your retainer works and what you should do to regain your beautifully even smile if you haven’t been wearing yours frequently.
How Do Retainers Work?
Retainers do exactly what their name implies- they retain! They are specifically designed to hold your teeth in their new positions after an orthodontic treatment. After all, once you finish wearing braces or Invisalign, your jawbone will still need time to heal and solidify around the new positioning of your teeth. A retainer keeps your teeth aligned perfectly during this process, as well as for many years afterward as the shape of your mouth naturally changes over time.
What Could Happen If You Wear an Old Retainer?
If it’s been more than just a week or two since you last wore your retainer, or if you can see that your teeth have changed position, wearing your old retainer to re-straighten your teeth will likely cause more harm than good. Forcing an old retainer onto your teeth after they’ve shifted out of place puts far too much pressure on them, which could result in:
- Scratched enamel
- Sore teeth and jaws
- Inflamed gums
- Damage to the roots of the teeth
What’s the Best Way to Re-Straighten Your Teeth?
If it’s been less than a week since you last wore your retainer, it’s likely that you can start wearing it again without any problems. However, if it’s been any longer than that, the best thing for you to do is to call your orthodontist. While you may not want to spend extra time and hassle making an appointment, it’s essential that you have professional oversight from your orthodontist to ensure you re-straighten your teeth without any complications. They’ll take a look at your retainer as well as the new positions of your teeth. Sometimes, they may be able to simply readjust your retainer to help you regain your results. Other times, they may recommend a quick orthodontic treatment to help guide your teeth back into the correct spaces. They’ll help you choose the option that will most efficiently and safely help you get the smile you deserve.
If you have questions about your retainer or about maintaining your results after an orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to contact your orthodontist.
About the Practice
At Super Braces of Lawrence, our talented team is dedicated to helping patients of all ages achieve the straighter, healthier smile they deserve. Dr. Leila Nezakatgoo has over 15 years of experience in oral healthcare and is a member of both the American Academy of Orthodontics and SPEAR Education. She and her team will be with you every step of the way on your orthodontic journey to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible and will help you maintain your results for many years to come. To learn more about retainers or re-straightening your teeth, she can be reached online or at (978) 794-0000.