Can I Realign My Bite with My Old Retainer?

If you underwent orthodontic treatment when you were younger, chances are you were given a retainer to wear to maintain your beautiful results. But often in life, patients let good habits (like using your retainer as prescribed) fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, this can result in your teeth shifting back into their old positions, or into other new improper places.

But what happens if you start wearing them again? Will it fix your smile? After all, it seems much easier and more affordable than getting braces all over again. Here’s why you should always wear your retainer, and if your teeth shift you should never rely on it to move them back!

Why Do I Need a Retainer?

While your braces or aligners did a great job straightening your smile, keeping your teeth in their new positions is a lifelong commitment. That means that in addition to caring for them as you normally would by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly, you also need to wear your retainer as prescribed. That’s because without reinforcing their new place, your teeth could easily move back to their original alignment. Retainers “retain” their new positions, so all that time, money, and effort isn’t for naught.

The good news is that for most patients, you’ll only need to wear them to bed, not during the day, aside from the first month after treatment.

What Happens if My Teeth Shift?

If you haven’t been wearing your retainer as prescribed, there is a good chance your teeth have moved without you even realizing it. You may have noticed they fit tighter or are painful to wear, or you may even see small changes in your smile when they’re off. Naturally, you may even wonder if wearing them again will move your teeth back to their new place, but because your retainer wasn’t designed to move your teeth, this doesn’t usually work.

Should you notice that your teeth have shifted, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. You may need another round of aligners or braces to guide your teeth back into an ideal position, but this can only be determined after an exam.

Remember, wearing your retainer as prescribed is an integral part of your orthodontic treatment plan. When you neglect this step, your teeth can eventually move back into their original positioning and cause pain, sensitivity, and difficulty brushing and flossing. If you’ve been skipping your nightly wear, reach out to your orthodontist as soon as possible for an evaluation.

About Our Practice

At Wigal Orthodontics, we know a thing or two about aligning smiles. That’s why we work so hard to help you maintain yours! If you’ve been prescribed a retainer but haven’t exactly been great about wearing it, there’s a chance your teeth may have shifted. Don’t give your teeth a chance to move any further back into their old positioning. Schedule an appointment with us today and let’s get that grin back in shape! To schedule an appointment, please visit our website today.