Did you have a perfect smile after completing orthodontic treatment in high school or college? Does it look the same today, or have your teeth begun drifting back to their old positions? If you don’t love the smile you see in the mirror anymore, you’re not alone!
Here at Elm Tree Orthodontics, we often see adult patients who are experiencing what we call an orthodontic relapse. The smile they spent so much time straightening has begun to shift, and they want to know if there’s anything we can do to get it back on track.
Fortunately, there is! Dr. Desai has years of experience working with orthodontic patients of all ages, including adults who need touch-up treatment to correct a relapse. Let’s look at what can cause an orthodontic relapse, why you should treat them, and what we can do to give you a smile you love again!
What is an orthodontic relapse?
An orthodontic relapse occurs when the teeth return to their original positions after completing orthodontic treatment. If this happens less than one year after treatment has concluded, we refer to it as a short-term relapse. A long-term relapse occurs a year or more after treatment is complete.
These relapses are pretty common. Some studies have shown that about half of all patients will experience relapse within ten years of completing their treatment. There are various reasons for orthodontic relapses, but the one we see most frequently is irregular retainer use. It’s an unfortunate truth that many patients underestimate the importance of their retainers!
Even after treatment is complete, the teeth and surrounding bone and gums need a bit of time to settle into their new places. Wearing your retainer as directed by Dr. Desai will help prevent your teeth from naturally drifting back to their previous positions in your mouth and assist with further stabilization.
Additional reasons your teeth can shift in adulthood include genetics, aging, tooth loss, and teeth grinding.
How are orthodontic relapses treated?
We typically recommend a few different options when addressing an orthodontic relapse. Most people will naturally experience minor tooth movements as they grow older. This is because the bone and gums that support your teeth change as you age, which leads to slight drifting. Retainers can also become slightly distorted with wear, making them less effective.
If you’ve always worn your retainer appropriately and have noticed only minor shifting with your teeth, we can often leave things as they are for the time being. We’ll monitor your teeth for any further movement and take action if or when it becomes necessary.
Sometimes even minor tooth movement will warrant attention. In these cases, we can correct relapse by simply giving you a new retainer. This will usually be one of the first things we do if you’ve lost or broken yours! Fixed retainers are typically good for maintaining the alignment of the lower teeth, while removable aligners are often recommended for the upper teeth.
What is retreatment?
During your examination with Dr. Desai, he may find that your orthodontic relapse is significant enough to warrant retreatment with braces or clear aligners. The good news is that retreatment usually takes less time than your initial treatment. We also offer various affordable treatment options to correct your relapse.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most popular appliance here at Elm Tree Orthodontics and have a proven track record of efficiency. The brackets are made from a durable mix of stainless steel and affixed directly to the front of the teeth with a wire running through them. Our braces are comfortable, practical, and you can even add some colors. They are known for delivering excellent results for cases that range from simple to complex.
InBrace Hidden Braces
InBrace uses a personalized SmartWire system that Dr. Desai customizes for your smile. InBrace is the only completely invisible treatment option since the SmartWires go on the backs of your teeth. Dr. Desai will scan your teeth, and InBrace will create your customized SmartWires. This technology applies gentle force to move your teeth without any adjustments, making your treatment completely hands-free.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Invisalign is our most popular alternative to braces! This innovative system uses a series of clear aligners to straighten the teeth instead of brackets and wires. The trays are made of a soft thermoplastic material and custom-designed to fit snugly over your teeth. Since they’re designed to be removable, you’ll have more freedom during treatment! There are no food restrictions, and oral hygiene is a breeze.
Patient compliance is essential for your Invisalign treatment to be successful. To be effective, you must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours daily throughout the treatment process. You’ll need to switch each aligner out for the next in the series every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the movement of the teeth. Failure to follow these guidelines can lead to longer treatment times and subpar results.
Rediscover the smile you love at Elm Tree Orthodontics
Whatever the reason for your orthodontic relapse, you can trust our expert team to recreate the smile you once had and improve your oral health in the process! If you’re ready to get your smile back on track, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation in our Hamden office. We can’t wait to see you!