After you finished your treatment with braces or Invisalign, you were instructed to wear a retainer. Perhaps you complied with directions for a while, but maybe your good habits fell by the wayside over time. Now, you might have noticed that your teeth have started to drift out of place. Can you use your old retainer to straighten them? This blog post explains what you should know.
Correcting Minor Changes
Whether or not you can use your retainer to straighten your teeth depends on how far they have drifted out of place. If it has not been too long since you were consistent with wearing your retainer, try it on. It might fit a bit more snugly than it used to, but if it can slide onto your teeth and does not cause too much discomfort, it might be all you need to get your teeth back where they belong.
Correcting Bigger Changes
If it has been several months or even a few years since you used your retainer as directed, your teeth have probably shifted significantly. If you try to wear your retainer, it could cause a lot of pain. It might not even fit at all! If you try to force it onto your teeth, it may end up breaking.
If your retainer is not relatively easy to slide onto your teeth, do not wrestle with it. Instead, call your orthodontist or dentist to request an appointment.
Orthodontic Retreatment
In some cases, teeth that have drifted out of place require a new course of orthodontic treatment. If that is true of you, do not be too discouraged. Your second round with Invisalign or braces is likely to be much shorter and easier than your first. In fact, it might take just a few months to get all of your teeth back where they belong! Afterward, you should make a commitment to wearing your retainer as directed so you do not end up needing orthodontia a third time.
Retainers are not meant to move teeth. Rather, they are meant to keep them in place! If your smile needs more than a very minor adjustment, it is time to see your local dental professional.
Meet the Practice
At Blue Coast Dental Group, we are proud to be an Invisalign provider in Torrance, CA. Whether you are eager to start treatment or re-align your teeth after previous orthodontic care, we are ready to consult with you. To learn more about how we may be able to help you enjoy a healthy and confident smile, contact our office at 310-424-3100.