Can Your Old Retainer Re-Straighten Your Teeth?

If you had braces when you were younger, you may have noticed that your teeth that were once straight and uniform have begun to drift back to their original positions. To prevent this, you may be considering finding your old retainer and using it to prevent orthodontic relapse. Though this may seem harmless, it’s not the best decision for your smile. Read on to learn why you shouldn’t use your old retainer to try to straighten your teeth, what you should do if your pearly whites begin to shift, and reasons why you should consider getting Invisalign.

Why You Shouldn’t Straighten Your Teeth with Your Old Retainer

After you complete orthodontic treatment, you will likely be given a retainer to keep your teeth from moving back into their original position. If you stopped wearing your retainer and your smile began to look crooked again, this may lead you to try wearing it again to keep your pearly whites in place. Retainers are designed to prevent unwanted tooth movement, not to address alignment issues. Because of this, they can’t shift crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth into their proper positions. Unless your orthodontic relapse is very minor, this isn’t the best way to go about things.

How to Address Orthodontic Relapse

If you catch the issue early on, wearing your retainer may help prevent orthodontic relapse. If wearing it isn’t uncomfortable, do so for 22 hours a day to prevent further unwanted tooth movement. Moderate to severe alignment issues will require a visit to your orthodontist so they can determine what the issue is by performing a dental examination. They will then be able to provide you with recommendations on what to do next.

How Invisalign Can Fix Misaligned Teeth

Like many people who had their teeth straightened when they were younger, you may have worn metal braces. Invisalign has become increasingly more popular over the years and is a great alternative to traditional orthodontics. Since it’s removable, this means that there are virtually no dietary restrictions associated with treatment. This also makes it easier to perform your oral hygiene routine after each meal. Additionally, the aligners are virtually invisible, which allows you to discreetly straighten your smile. Invisalign treatment is also usually shorter than that of traditional braces with an average time commitment of 12 to 18 months.

Though you may consider using your retainer to correct orthodontic relapse, think again. Instead, visit your dentist and explain the situation. They can determine what the best option is to help you maintain a gorgeous grin!

About the Practice

If a misaligned smile is preventing you from loving your pearly whites, Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh is here to help. They offer Invisalign clear aligners to correct a range of orthodontic issues. They also offer Six Month Smiles, which can correct misaligned teeth in a fraction of the time of traditional braces, and in-house, 3D printed clear aligners. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll be showing off a more beautiful smile in no time! To make an appointment with Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh or for more information on clear aligners, visit their website or call (412) 854-2310.