Prevent Your Teeth From Shifting
Getting braces is an investment in the long-term health and aesthetics of your smile. However, countless patients face relapse, the process of once straightened teeth reverting back to their original position. Not only does this erase the results previously achieved by Dr. Grussmark, it puts your teeth at risk of decay, gum disease, and accelerated wear.
At the Brickell Center for Invisalign, we know what a financial and time investment any orthodontics treatment can be. If you’d like to see your beautifully straightened smile last well into the future, make sure to look out for these critical contributors to braces relapse.
Contributors to Orthodontic Relapse
- Age — As we grow older, wear and tear takes a toll on our smiles. As the enamel begins to wear away, your teeth are exposed to greater pressure and slowly begin to shift out of their corrected position.
- Lost Teeth — When teeth are missing, the subsequent gaps left in your arch allow neighboring teeth to begin moving into the empty space. Not only does this erase the work done by braces, it also opens the door for cavities and gum disease.
- Teeth Grinding — Jaw alignment plays an important role in preserving a corrected smile. If damage occurs to the temporomandibular joint or if you develop bruxism later in life, your teeth may experience accelerated enamel wear. Over time, bruxism can push your teeth out of proper alignment and ultimately require retreatment.
- Continued Growth — Wisdom tooth eruption is a major culprit behind teeth movement after initial braces treatment. While wisdom teeth can be removed, if they’re left in your mouth long enough, the third molars gradually push your teeth out of position as they emerge. This causes your teeth to crowd, erasing the work of earlier corrective treatment.
How Do I Prevent Relapse?
Need a New Retainer? Call Dr. Grussmark
Getting braces is a lifetime health investment. If you want to keep your smile in ideal alignment, it’s absolutely necessary that you wear a retainer. Thanks to modern dentistry, patients now have a wealth of options to select from, including permanent and removable. During your post-treatment consultation with Dr. Grussmark, we’ll discuss your options and help you determine which retainer system best fits your lifestyle.
We want you to enjoy your beautifully aligned smile for as long as possible. If you notice previously treated teeth are starting to move out of position, call our practice at (786) 563-4973 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Grussmark to explore your re-treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of retreatment for orthodontic relapse?
Straight teeth offer a number of health benefits that make treating orthodontic relapse a wise decision. Aligned teeth are easier to keep clean and present fewer spots for plaque to accumulate out of your toothbrush’s reach. Additionally, aligned teeth are more structurally sound and resistant to pressures from eating and teeth grinding. Combined, these factors make you less likely to lose teeth later in life or suffer from cavities or gum disease.
There are more than just functional benefits to aligning your teeth. A beautiful, straight smile will fill you with confidence, keep you enjoying your favorite foods, and preserve the lifelong comfort of your mouth.
Why is a retainer necessary to preserve teeth alignment?
Once the phase of braces or aligners is complete, your teeth and gums still need time to solidify in their new locations. During this period, they’re more susceptible to being pushed out of alignment by pressures from eating, teeth grinding, or continued growth. A retainer resists these forces and keeps your teeth straight and in place.
Your teeth might shift out of alignment quicker than you’d expect, but not so fast that you notice day-to-day changes. Even after braces are far in your past, we recommend a retainer to preserve the alignment of your smile. Retainers are the best way to avoid orthodontic relapse and prevent the need for braces or aligners in your future.
Will retreatment take as long as my first time in braces?
If you’re proactive about treating misalignment when it starts to reappear in your smile, retreatment time can be significantly reduced. However, if you allow your alignment issues to continue unchecked, it becomes more likely that retreatment will require a full course of braces or Invisalign. Don’t let the signs of orthodontic relapse get worse over time — consult with your dentist and keep your smile in shape.