The hard work isn’t over once your braces have been removed or you’ve taken off your last set of Invisalign trays.
It’s still important to maintain your smile, as things can change over time. If you don’t, you could see teeth shifting back out of place and to their original position.
But why exactly does this happen? Well, there are three culprits that could be behind your shifting teeth.
3 Reasons Your Teeth Might be Shifting
If you’ve noticed your teeth have begun to shift post-orthodontic treatment, don’t panic, because it can can be fixed with the help of your orthodontist. The key is to figure out why it’s happening. And there are a few things that could be the cause, including three main ones we’ve outlined below.
1. Failing to Wear Your Retainer
After the initial treatment is over and the braces are gone, you’ll need to wear a retainer. A retainer is a device that will keep your teeth in place, allowing you to maintain your smile long after your braces have been removed. Wearing a retainer is essential to preventing a relapse and the need to get braces again.
This is, unfortunately, where many orthodontic patients go wrong. Some don’t bother to wear their retainer because they feel it’s uncomfortable, ultimately undoing all the work they’ve just had done. Luckily, there are a few different retainer options that an orthodontist can provide to make wearing a retainer easier. Each option has been shown to be effective in maintaining a straight smile.
One of the most common options these days are clear retainers, which are similar to the Invisalign trays. These are virtually undetectable when you’re wearing them, they’re comfortable, and they can be removed when eating food.
2. Treatment Was Finished Too Early
Patients are always eager to remove their braces and ditch their Invisalign, but you don’t want to end treatment too soon. Doing this means it’ll be more likely for teeth to shift back into their original position from before the orthodontic work was done. If you’re going to invest in correcting your smile, make sure it’s done right and follow the treatment plan outlined by your orthodontist.
3. Teeth Will Shift Naturally With Time
As we age, our bodies begin to change. Sometimes those changes mean our teeth begin to shift. The key to preventing this is to stay in touch with your orthodontist after your orthodontic work is done. This way, you’ll be able to work together to maintain the gorgeous smile you both worked so hard to achieve.
Visit Advanced Orthodontics to Maintain Your Smile
If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Arizona who can give you the straight smile you desire, Advanced Orthodontics would love to help. We offer Invisalign for teens and adults, as well as different retainer options for post-orthodontic treatment.
Get in touch today and schedule a free consultation to discuss a treatment plan.