After investing your valuable time and money in orthodontic treatment, it’s completely normal to feel disappointed if your teeth begin to shift out of their perfectly straight positions. Naturally, you might begin exploring all of your options, causing you to wonder, “Can an old retainer re-straighten your teeth?” Here’s the answer to that question (as well as the best way to handle orthodontic relapse).
True or False: You Can Use an Old Retainer to Straighten Your Teeth
False! Although braces and retainers are two crucial parts of any orthodontic treatment, they don’t serve the same purpose. While metal brackets and wires as well as clear aligners are designed to guide your teeth into their ideal positions, retainers are designed to keep your teeth in that position. As a result, wearing your old retainer again won’t give you the results you desire. It will, however, ensure that your teeth don’t drift further out of position while you explore your treatment options.
What to Do If You’ve Experienced Orthodontic Relapse
As mentioned in the previous section, you can wear your old retainer again to prevent your teeth from moving further. With that said, you shouldn’t force it into place if it no longer fits since this can lead to even more complications. Instead, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your orthodontist at your earliest convenience.
At your appointment, your orthodontic team can take scans of your teeth and conduct an oral exam to get a better understanding of your case. If you’re interested in getting braces again, that’s certainly possible. In fact, if your case is relatively minor, there’s a good chance your treatment timeline will be significantly shorter. If your case is more complex (which typically happens when it’s been years or even decades), then you’ll likely still be a candidate for braces, ensuring you’ll have straight teeth again before you know it.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are more orthodontic treatments than ever before. So, if it’s been a long time since you last had braces, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the discreet and comfortable options available, like Invisalign! Of course, your orthodontist will review all of the services and provide you with their recommendations during your consultation.
About the Practice
At Super Braces of Worcester, we’re here to help our patients with all of their orthodontic needs – from getting braces for the first time and having a retainer to going through re-treatment. Our goal for each person that walks through our doors is for them to have the gorgeous, healthy smile they deserve, and to have a positive, comfortable, and stress-free experience along the way. If you have a question about orthodontic relapse or how you can straighten your teeth again, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team via our website or by phone at (508) 755-2207.