Teeth can shift in the mouth years after you’ve had your braces taken out. Some patients never have any problems, while others may notice their teeth or bite shifting slowly over time. This phenomenon is called orthodontic relapse, and Valley Dental Health in Hunt Valley, MD offers several treatment options to correct the underlying problem to prevent teeth shifting in the future.
Causes of Teeth Shifting After Braces
A thorough bite analysis and orthodontic exam will help your Valley Dental Health dentist determine the cause of relapse. We look at the underlying facial structure and your previous treatment in order to correct the functional cause of tooth misalignment promoting lasting results. There are several potential causes of orthodontic relapse:
- Teeth shift as a natural part of the aging process as the facial structure changes
- Tooth loss causing teeth to become crooked, causing painful tension in the jaw
- Insufficient initial orthodontic treatment that did not address the orthodontic alignment of the skeletal system
Treatment Options for Orthodontic Relapse
Traditional braces, self-litigating braces or clear aligners may be used to correct an orthodontic relapse, and we will refer to an orthodontist if necessary. Other patients may only need to use a retainer to adjust their teeth. However, we most often recommend Invisalign to adults dealing with shifting teeth after braces because of their discretion and flexibility to your lifestyle.
Patients can still enjoy their favorite foods and maintain good oral hygiene with Invisalign. The aligners are designed to be worn for about 22 hours a day and won’t irritate the gums or sensitive areas of the mouth. The aligners are easy to remove when necessary to clean teeth or when it’s time to swap them out based on your treatment plan.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Baltimore
When being treated with Invisalign, patients will be monitored by their dentist at Valley Dental Health. There is no need for separate appointments with an orthodontist. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about Invisalign.