If you are one of the many who has had Invisalign or braces or are thinking of having one of these treatments done, you’re likely hoping that this investment will help your teeth stay straight for the long term. However, you may be surprised to learn that many patients experience teeth shifting after completing treatment.  In this blog, we will share some of the reasons why your teeth could be shifting after treatment, how to maintain your new smile, and the importance of consistent retainer usage. 

Why your Teeth Could Be Shifting

Whether your treatment lasted for several months or several years, starting to see your teeth shift is never a good feeling. Many of the causes of shifting can be prevented. Check out some of the most common reasons for shifting below:

1. Teeth Grinding– Or also known as Bruxism, is a very destructive habit that can cause damage to your teeth and cause them to shift. Talk to your orthodontist on ways to prevent this, like using a nightguard. 
2. Tooth Loss– If you lose or extract a tooth after treatment, other teeth will have more space to move around. See your orthodontist or dentist to learn how you can take preventative measures against this.
3. Aging– As you get older, your lower jaw grows forward and becomes more narrow which can cause your teeth to shift and become overcrowded over time slowly. 
4. Damage – Be sure not to purposefully cause any damage to your teeth after treatment. Avoid using your teeth as a bottle opener, chewing ice, and biting your nails. 
5. Inconsistent Retainer Usage – Inconsistent retainer wear is the most common reason why we see our patient’s teeth shift after braces treatment. After treatment is complete, we recommend wearing your retainer every night while sleeping. We offer several different retainer options to ensure that our patients keep their perfect smiles as long as possible. 

Why are Retainers so Important? 

Retainers are the best way to maintain your smile! Your teeth are surrounded by tiny ligaments which attach to the jaw in your bone. When the braces or Invisalign rearrange your teeth and move them, it stretches these threads as well, similar to a rubber band. Without retainers, your ligaments eventually pull back to their former position with the help of your cheeks and tongue. So, do not let your hard work and time spent wearing braces go to waste! Make sure you are wearing your retainers for as long as your orthodontist recommends. If you feel as though your teeth continue to shift even though you are wearing your retainer religiously, check with your orthodontist to have your retainer adjusted. Remember to brush and floss daily and limit the soda and sugar intake—schedule regular exams with your dentist and orthodontist. 

If you have more questions about retainer wear, braces, or Invisalign treatment, our board-certified orthodontists are here to help. Give us a call or book your complimentary consultation today! 

Our teeth are a vitally important part of our lives. That means brushing and flossing, regular cleanings and checkups at the dentist, and getting braces or Invisalign as needed are an absolute must. 

For those of us who’ve had to deal with braces or Invisalign treatment, there’s one other thing we have to add to the list: wearing a retainer. Almost ready for yours, or just want to learn more about the entire process? Here are the basics you should know.

What is a Retainer?

If you’ve heard the word before but aren’t entirely sure exactly what it is, you’re not alone. To clear things up, a retainer is a custom-made dental device typically made from plastic or wires that hold realigned teeth in position, so they won’t revert to where they were before treatment. This means that all who have had certain surgeries, braces, or Invisalign will also have to wear a retainer. After all, you don’t want all of that time and money to go to waste! 

In many ways, retainers are very similar to Invisalign trays. The differences, however, lie in the details. Retainers have a slightly differing design featuring a thicker plastic and higher rigidity. While these aren’t as comfortable as Invisalign trays, always be sure to wear your retainer as prescribed. Your doctor really does know best!

Main Types of Retainers

Dunegan Cole Orthodontics offers several different retainer options to choose from. Both serve the same purpose, but each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick breakdown of each one to get you better acquainted:

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are the most common form of retainer. These molded trays can be popped in and out for meal times and are expected to be worn around 12-ish hours a day or at least overnight to keep teeth nice and straight. Within these are two distinct kinds:

1. Vacuum form retainer – A VFR uses a regular horseshoe shape that fits snugly over your teeth. These days, they’re almost always clear and are much more aesthetically pleasing since they’re mostly invisible. They’re also usually comfier and less bulky. On the downside, though, they do tend to wear out quicker than other forms of retainers, particularly for compulsive teeth grinders. 
2. Hawley retainer – Unlike a VFR, a Hawley retainer forms to the roof/floor of your mouth and attached with a wire that slips over the front of your teeth. This allows for greater adjustment and durability. However, they’re far less attractive and make talking and swallowing more difficult than their counterparts. 

Permanent Retainers

The most common type of permanent retainer is a fixed lingual retainer, a wire semi-permanently fixed to the back of your teeth. These are only removed by your dentist and are usually primarily recommended for those with especially complex teeth problems like excessive rotation, crowding, or gaps. 

These dental devices are nice as they’re surprisingly comfortable, and you don’t have to think about taking them in and out. But they’re also tricky to clean, and breakage can require immediate orthodontic attention. 

How Often Should You Wear Them?

As you might anticipate, there is no one answer to this question. How often you wear your retainer will be entirely up to the discretion of your orthodontist, and their decision will be influenced by a number of factors, including your age, teeth condition, overall dental health, your braces/Invisalign experience, and more. Some will wear it nightly for a year, some for several, and some for the foreseeable future. It all depends on how your teeth adapt to treatment. 
If you’d like to learn more about retainers or are ready to get started with your smile journey, book your complimentary consultation with our board-certified orthodontists today!

Congratulations on your new smile! If you have just gotten your braces removed or have just completed your Invisalign journey, your orthodontist has likely given you a retainer. One of our most frequently asked questions by our patients is – how long do I need to wear my retainer?

Read on for a simple explanation on how retainers work, and why you should be disciplined in wearing them post-treatment! 

Why Is A Retainer Necessary?

Our teeth alignment is constantly shifting throughout our life. Our chewing habits, grinding teeth, tooth decay, and even aging are a few of many possible reasons that result in the shifting of our teeth. 

Wearing a retainer that keeps the teeth in the correct position is essential to prevent them from getting misaligned again. It is so important to take these preventative measures to ensure that you won’t have to go through another round of braces or Invisalign. 

Choosing Your Retainer

The good news is, like braces, there are different kinds of retainers you can choose from to suit your lifestyle. 

Phases of Wearing A Retainer

Wondering how frequently and how long you need to wear your retainers? Here is a simple breakdown of the common phases you will go through: 

Want your smile to last a lifetime? We would recommend you continue to wear your retainers 3-5 times every week just to keep them in the right place.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Gainesville, VA, contact us today to get started on your smile journey!