The technical name for what happens when your teeth migrate back to their original positions is called orthodontic relapse. If something has a technical name, you can guess that it’s fairly common.
Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff know that when you got Invisalign® aligners and wore them just like you were instructed, you were committed to having a smile you’re proud to show everyone! But, we also know that a relatively high percentage of people experience some degree of orthodontic relapse. We can help!
Your teeth might begin to shift back to their original positions for several reasons. One of the most common has to do with not wearing your retainer. We recommend Vivera retainers once you’ve worn your aligners and achieved the smile you want.
Not everyone has the same requirements when it comes to a retainer. Some people only need one for a short time, while their bones adjust and get strong enough to hold their teeth in the new positions. Other people need them for the rest of their lives.
Another reason for orthodontic relapse is the simple passage of time. As you age, your teeth move somewhat anyway, but when you’ve had orthodontic work, they may be more prone to moving back to their original positions. Some people have orthodontic work as teens, then find many years later that their teeth are migrating.
You may have other issues, as well, such as teeth grinding or tooth loss, that can lead to your teeth shifting. It’s important to see Dr. Hiroshige if you suspect you’re experiencing orthodontic relapse so that he can assess the reason for it and help you understand your options to correct it.
In many cases, the best thing to do is start a new Invisalign plan, beginning with an impression of your teeth and wearing the aligners for a week or two at a time until you get a new one.
There’s good news, though: A touch up is much quicker than your first Invisalign treatment. Also, you already know just what to expect.
Get help
Once you’ve spent the money and the time required to get your teeth straight and aligned properly, you probably feel pretty good about your smile. Visiting our office for regular appointments so that you have professional cleanings and monitoring of your teeth is one of the best ways to know if you’re experiencing orthodontic relapse—and knowing sooner means stopping it more easily.
Schedule your appointment today, and find out what you can do about orthodontic relapse!
