One of the biggest reasons people find themselves in orthodontic relapse, where their once-straightened teeth are now out of alignment again, is because of non-compliance. Age, lifestyle, and overall health and wellness also have an impact. What your Red Bank dentist wants to help with is figuring out how to restore the smile you once had and fix crooked teeth after braces using Invisalign, no matter how long it’s been since you had orthodontics.
Reasons for Orthodontic Relapse
There are several common reasons for orthodontic relapse. Some are user error, others involve unconscious bad habits. Anything is possible when:
- You don’t wear your retainer. It’s necessary for every orthodontic patient to wear their retainer every night – for life. This decree might sound crazy, but the effort is minimal and simply becomes part of your nightly oral healthcare routine. If you miss a night or two, disaster is unlikely to strike, but ignoring your retainer permanently will lead to relapse.
- You grind your teeth. Whether it’s stress or a jaw problem that has led you to chronically grind and clench your teeth, the habit can deconstruct an aligned smile. Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the body, but it can’t protect teeth from shifting out of place.
- You’re getting older. Teeth move as people age, whether you’ve had braces or not. Crowding, wear and tear, poor bone health, and gum deterioration can all negatively impact the stability of established tooth positions.
- You lose a tooth. Adults can lose one or more teeth through advanced gum disease, mouth trauma, an accident – any of these problems can knock out a tooth, but if the tooth isn’t replaced soon, tissue damage and misalignment will occur as teeth shift to fill the holes.
Why It’s Smart to Choose Invisalign
It is always possible to fix crooked teeth, even after they were treated for the same problem long ago using braces. Invisalign treatment is one of the best solutions for a smile that needs to be tweaked but doesn’t require an intense overhaul. Here are some other possible solutions:
- Wearing a new retainer custom-designed to move teeth back where they belong.
- Getting several rounds of Invisalign trays to wear on the top teeth.
- Investing about six months, depending on your case, to wear Invisalign.
It’s necessary for your dentist to examine and evaluate the condition of your teeth so she can make a recommendation about the best form of treatment.
Put Away Your Pride and Fix Your Teeth
Your dentist knows you probably feel silly about having the same alignment problems you had years ago. Your dentist also knows you are not alone and plenty of patients develop complications long after getting their braces off or completing Invisalign treatment. The best thing to do to maintain good oral health is start again.
Remember, when your teeth are straight, strong, and healthy, they will look, feel, and function better and you will be less likely to suffer pain, tooth decay, or infections. Schedule a consultation to with Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her team at Red Bank Dentistry in Red Bank, NJ, to learn more about Invisalign and orthodontic relapse.
