Can Your Old Retainer Re-Straighten Your Teeth?

For many, getting braces as a teenager is a right of passage. This symbolizes becoming an adult and achieving a smile that you’ll be proud to show off for the rest of your days. Unfortunately, for some people, this beautiful beam doesn’t last as long as intended. If you still have your old retainer, you may be wondering if popping it on will help you move your teeth back into the right position. Keep reading to learn if this is a good way to fix your crooked teeth.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Old Retainer to Straighten Your Teeth

After you complete orthodontic treatment, your dentist will likely have you wear a retainer. This will prevent your teeth from moving back into the position they were in before treatment. If you stop wearing your retainer, your smile will likely begin to look crooked again.

Though this may lead you to try wearing your retainer again to keep your pearly whites in place, this isn’t how retainers work. Retainers are meant to prevent teeth from shifting, not to address alignment problems. This means that they can’t move crooked teeth into their proper positions unless your orthodontic relapse is very minor.

How to Address Orthodontic Relapse

If you notice that your teeth are beginning to shift back to their original position early on, wearing your retainer may help prevent orthodontic relapse. If wearing it doesn’t cause you discomfort, wear it for 22 hours each day to prevent further smile regression.

Moderate to severe smile alignment issues will require orthodontic intervention. They will be able to determine the issue by taking X-rays and performing a dental examination. Your dentist can then provide you with recommendations on how to fix things.

How Invisalign Can Fix Misaligned Teeth

If your teeth are misaligned, there are several ways that your dentist can help. Traditional orthodontics, like metal or ceramic braces, use brackets and wires to move your teeth into a more ideal place. Clear aligners are a popular alternative to these traditional treatments and work in the same way. This treatment uses clear aligners, so it’s a more discrete way to correct alignment issues.

About the Practice

Serenity Orthodontics has six offices located in Georgia so that they can offer a variety of patients the care they need to keep their smiles looking lovely. If you once had braces and your teeth have since shifted back to their original position, they offer orthodontic treatments like braces and clear aligners to move your teeth back into the right place. Are you ready to set up an appointment or do you want to learn more about their orthodontic solutions? If so, visit Serenity Orthodontics’ website to reach out to one of their convenient dental offices.