Can Retainers Fix Teeth That Have Shifted after Treatment?

You dedicated months, or even years, to wearing braces or clear aligners to achieve that picture-perfect smile. But now, something’s not quite right: your teeth are beginning to shift. That new smile you loved now seems to be in jeopardy.

You see, it’s natural for teeth to drift back to their original positions when there’s no post-treatment care. It’s called a relapse. That’s exactly why retainers after orthodontic treatment are emphasized. However, if a relapse happens, can retainers fix teeth? The answer is no, they cannot. Let's explore this further.

Why Do Teeth Shift after Braces or Aligners?

Orthodontic treatment works by gradually moving your teeth using steady pressure. But once the braces or aligners come off, your teeth don’t just stay locked in place. They experience an orthodontic relapse, shifting back to their positions before the treatment. There are several reasons for it:

Not Wearing Your Retainer

The number one cause of relapse is skipping retainers. They keep your teeth in their new positions as your bones and tissues adjust.

Natural Aging

Just like your skin changes with age, so do your teeth and jawbones. Your jaw can narrow over time, and teeth, especially in the lower front, tend to drift forward, affecting overall alignment.

Tooth Loss or Gum Problems

Missing teeth or unhealthy gums can affect your bite and allow other teeth to shift into open spaces or move due to a lack of support.

Teeth Grinding

Clenching or teeth grinding can apply pressure that nudges your teeth out of alignment. For that, a night guard is usually used to stop the habit from affecting your teeth.

With that said, once teeth have shifted back, can retainers fix the alignment?

Can Retainers Move Teeth Back into Place?

Some patients get confused whether retainers fix teeth shifting or not. The answer is, as the name suggests, they retain them in a position only and do not help teeth move. And once you notice that teeth have shifted, you need to return to an orthodontic treatment.

Mostly, people notice the change when the retainer stops fitting snugly. At this point, the teeth might have shifted, but the movement isn’t drastic. Clear aligners often work well in such cases, quickly restoring the teeth alignment without much hassle.

Tips to Keep Teeth Aligned

To be fair, nobody wants to go through another round of orthodontic treatment. Hence, do these and save yourself from the trouble.

• Wear your retainers as prescribed
• Replace your retainers when required
• Maintain your oral health during the retention phase
• Do not ignore small changes, they often become big issues later

Finally, the Importance of Retainers after Braces

Teeth shifting after orthodontic treatment is a common concern. After a teeth straightening treatment, many individuals fail to wear retainers as prescribed. That leads to teeth shifting back to their previous positions, throwing all the effort, time, and money spent on getting that new smile down the drain.

For that reason, do not skip wearing retainers. Try setting reminders if you forget it, create a schedule, and try to make it a habit. If you really value your new smile, then understand that retention is as important as teeth straightening itself.