Braces may seem like they take forever to give you the beautiful results that you’ve been dreaming of. When the day finally comes, it is exciting to say goodbye to the metal brackets and wires that you have grown used to. However, if you don’t wear your retainer as directed, your teeth will shift back to their original places, undoing all of your hard work. Many people wonder if they can move their teeth back by wearing their retainer again. Continue reading to learn if this works.
Can Retainers Realign the Teeth?
Ultimately, retainers cannot move teeth back to where they were. Retainers aren’t made to apply steady force to change the position of the teeth, so they aren’t an ideal solution to realign them. However, they may be able to help by making minor adjustments to the position of your teeth and your bite. It depends on how long you have neglected to wear your retainer and how much your teeth have shifted during that time. You can attempt to put your retainer in and see if it still fits. If it still fits snugly, it may be able to under minor shifting that has happened since the last time you wore it.
If it has been too long since you wore your retainer, so it no longer fits, you should contact your orthodontist to discuss the best solution. With Invisalign or another orthodontic treatment, your teeth can be moved back to their rightful locations.
How to Properly Wear and Maintain Your Retainer
When you wear your aligners regularly and care for them correctly, you will be able to keep your teeth in their aligned locations. Here’s what you should know.
- Brush your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush every day.
- Use cold water to rinse your retainer. Using hot water can cause it to warp and no longer fit properly.
- Always keep your retainer in its storage care when you aren’t wearing it. This will significantly reduce your chances of losing it.
- Keep your retainer away from pets and curious children. Place it in its case, out so reach so it isn’t accidentally damaged, chewed up, or thrown away.
By staying on top of your retainers, you can keep your teeth in beautiful condition after orthodontic treatment. If it has been a while since you wore your retainer, contact your dentist. This way, you can get back on track towards straighter teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Bradley Buchwald is an experienced orthodontist serving patients in the Prosper community. He earned his dental doctorate from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine before completing his orthodontic residency at the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (972) 377-5940.