Are you a former braces or Invisalign patient who stopped wearing your retainer as recommended? Or are you currently in braces and tempted to skip wearing your retainer once you finish your treatment? Before you do, consider the consequences of not wearing your retainer and how they can affect your smile in the long run!
What Happens If I Don’t Wear My Retainer?
Teeth Shifting
One of the main reasons why orthodontic patients need to wear a retainer is to prevent their teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Even after your braces or Invisalign treatment is over, your teeth are not completely stable in their new positions. It can take several months or even years for the surrounding tissues to adapt to the new tooth positions and hold them in place. If you don’t wear your retainer as directed, your teeth can gradually move back to their previous misaligned or crowded positions, negating all the time, effort, and money you invested in your orthodontic treatment.
Bite Problems
In addition to teeth shifting, not wearing your retainer can also cause bite problems to develop or worsen. For example, if you had an overbite or underbite before your orthodontic treatment, your braces or Invisalign may have corrected it to some extent. However, if you don’t wear your retainer, your bite may revert to its previous state.
Relapse Risk
Another consequence of not wearing your retainer is that you increase your risk of relapse. Relapse refers to the recurrence of your original orthodontic problem or the development of new ones after your treatment is finished. This can happen if you don’t wear your retainer for a prolonged period, wear it incorrectly or inconsistently, or lose or break it. Relapse may require you to undergo another round of orthodontic treatment, which can be more challenging and expensive than the first time.
How Long Does it Take for Teeth to Shift Without a Retainer?
Unfortunately, there is no fixed timeline as to how quickly your teeth will move when you stop wearing a retainer. Every patient’s teeth and biology are different. However, some studies suggest that teeth can start shifting back to their previous positions as soon as the first day of retainer non-use. After one month, the relapse may be noticeable, and after six months, it may be significant, even requiring additional treatment.
Invisalign® Touch Up for Shifted Teeth
If you’ve already noticed some shifting or relapse due to not wearing your retainer, don’t worry. There is a solution that doesn’t require starting your treatment all over again! Invisalign® Touch Up treatments are short-term treatment options that can correct minor teeth shifting for patients who previously had orthodontic treatment. The treatment involves using a series of clear aligners for up to six months, depending on your individual case. With the Invisalign® Touch Up, you can regain the straight and healthy smile you had after your orthodontic treatment.
Whether you need a new retainer or you want to pursue an Invisalign® Touch Up treatment, we can help. Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser are the leading orthodontists in Virginia Beach and the surrounding areas of Virginia. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
