Albertville, AL
You once wore braces as a teenager, and after the treatment, your teeth were beautifully aligned. However, as time has passed and the years have gone by, you notice that your teeth have started to shift back into their old positions. This phenomenon is known as orthodontic relapse, and it’s more common than you might realize. This relapse is estimated to affect about 50% of all patients that receive braces. Today on the blog, we explore this phenomenon in greater detail.
Why do straightened teeth become crooked again?
The vast majority of patients who receive braces, once treatment is complete are prescribed a retainer after the braces were removed. These retainers are meant to be worn nightly.
Neglecting to follow this advice is one of the primary causes of orthodontic relapse, but other factors include:
- Poor resting oral posture
- Natural changes as part of the aging process
- Changes in the health of your gums or supporting bone structure
- Teeth grinding, which is clinically known as bruxism
Poor resting oral posture can exert excessive force on the orofacial system, causing teeth to shift alignment even after orthodontic treatment. The ideal posture is with lips closed, teeth closed and the tongue resting gently against the upper palate. Failing to maintain this posture as a child can cause issues later in life: difficulties with the airway or improper growth of the facial structure or dental arches. If your teeth start to shift out of alignment after you have received braces, issues with your facial structure or dental arches could be one of the reasons why.
What’s the solution if my teeth have shifted?
It depends on the degree of the shift. A slight change in the alignment of your teeth may be resolved by just resuming regular wearing of your retainer. Teeth can return into their preferred alignment through something as simple as wearing your retainer continuously for about 24 hours, removing it only to eat, drink and clean your teeth. You also may need to return to your dentist and have the retainer resized and adjusted to accommodate these changes in your mouth. Many patients who had braces as children may need to return for another course of treatment. Wall Street Dentistry offers Invisalign, which is the most popular method of orthodontic treatment among adults because it tends to work more quickly than braces and is more discreet because the aligners are transparent.
Orthodontic treatment in Albertville, Boaz and Guntersville in Alabama
Living with crooked teeth, whether they developed as a child or you experienced orthodontic relapse, can have a host of negative connotations for your oral health and well-being. Whether you want to arrange early orthodontic intervention for your child or you’re an adult who has noticed orthodontic relapse, our dentists at Wall Street Dentistry and their support team of oral health professionals are here and ready to assist you. We are proud to be a certified Invisalign provider for patients in the communities of Albertville, Boaz and Guntersville in Alabama. To learn more, schedule a consultation by visiting us online or give us a call at (256) 878-0525.