So you had braces as a kiddo — and when your braces were removed, you started out strong, diligently wearing your retainer.
Fast forward a few years later, and you’re realizing that you abandoned your retainer somewhere along the way, and now you’re noticing some shifting in your teeth.
This is known as your teeth “relapsing” after braces, which is a natural process that occurs when your teeth aren’t being supported by your retainer.
The good news? You may not need braces again… Here’s what you need to know about teeth shifting after braces:
TL;DR: Teeth Shifted After Braces? Here’s What You Need to Know
- Teeth can naturally shift over time, especially without regular retainer wear.
- Clear aligners may be able to fix minor post-braces shifting without another full round of braces.
- Crooked teeth, gaps, bite changes, and ill-fitting retainers can all be signs of relapse.
- Since your teeth have already been straightened once, retreatment is often quicker than you might expect.
- Seeking treatment sooner can help keep minor shifting from becoming a larger issue.
Why do teeth shift after braces?
Teeth naturally move over time due to everyday forces, like chewing, talking, and simply aging.
Even after braces, your teeth are always in motion. Without a retainer to hold them in place, they can naturally shift over time. This process, called orthodontic relapse, happens because:
- Your retainer isn’t being worn regularly. Teeth naturally want to return to their original positions, and without a retainer, they may gradually shift.
- Aging affects tooth alignment. As we get older, our teeth tend to shift slightly, even if we never had braces. The jawbone structure can change, causing minor misalignments. This is why wearing your retainer regularly is key to holding your smile in place!
- Daily habits may contribute to movement. Teeth grinding, nail-biting, misplacing your tongue between your teeth at rest, keeping things in your mouth for long periods of time such as pens/pencils or toothpicks, or even periodontal disease due to smoking can result in your teeth moving out of alignment.
- Tooth loss may play a role. Missing teeth can also lead to shifting as surrounding teeth move to fill the space.
Teeth are always subject to small, natural shifts, and without the support of your retainer, those small shifts can snowball into larger, noticeable shifts over time. This is why continued retainer use is crucial!
So, what do I do if my teeth shifted after braces?
If your teeth have shifted but you don’t want to wear braces again, clear aligner treatment could be the perfect fit.
You may not have had the option of clear aligners when you first went through orthodontic treatment!
Clear aligners work in a series of custom-designed, virtually-invisible clear aligners, or trays, that you wear. They’re designed and printed just for you, and each set of clear aligners works to guide your teeth one step closer to the final result.
You don’t have food restrictions with clear aligners, and you won’t have to complicate your oral hygiene routine. Simply take your aligners out to eat, drink (anything other than water), clean and floss your teeth, then pop them back in place to continue your transformation.
At Fritz and Wilson Orthodontics, we offer our own in-house printed clear aligners to correct minor shifts. Offering these allows us to reduce the time it takes to fabricate your clear aligners, and pass savings along to you.
Signs That You May Need Clear Aligners After Braces
If you’ve noticed any of the following post-braces teeth shifting symptoms, clear aligners may be the right solution:
- Your front teeth appear slightly crooked again
- Your bite feels different
- You’ve noticed gaps or spacing
- You’ve noticed difficulty flossing between certain teeth
- Your retainer no longer fits properly
- You’re feeling self-conscious about your smile
As soon as you start to notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek re-treatment to prevent your teeth from shifting further. If you’re experiencing a minor relapse, you may only require a few months of re-treatment.
How Clear Aligners Work for Second-Time Treatment
If your teeth moved after braces, clear aligners can provide a discreet solution to fix shifted teeth,without needing a full treatment of braces again.
Here’s how:
- Customized treatment plan – Using 3D scanning technology, Dr. Fritz or Dr. Wilson will scan your teeth, assess the relapse, and design a personalized plan that realigns your smile.
- Gradual, controlled shifts – You’ll receive sets of custom-designed clear aligners, each one gently guiding your teeth back into alignment.
- Shorter treatment time – Since your teeth have already been straightened once, second-time orthodontic treatment is typically a lot shorter, and some cases can be corrected in as little as six months.
Can I get braces a second time?
Yes, you can get braces a second time if you choose. And traditional braces aren’t your only option anymore.
With our board-certified orthodontists in Holly Springs, you’ll be able to choose from modern braces options, including custom KLOwen™ braces and Damon® braces. These advanced braces are designed to move teeth more efficiently, so you can smile sooner with fewer hiccups throughout treatment.
Affordable Second-Time Orthodontic Treatment
We don’t want the cost of a re-aligned smile to hold you back. You’ll be able to take the first step now, start smiling, and pay over time with a custom financing plan that makes orthodontics affordable.
- Custom financing plan – Choose flexible monthly payments with 0% interest, in-house financing.
- Insurance coverage – If you were on your parents’ insurance for your previous treatment, your current insurance plan could cover some of your treatment cost.
- Use Your FSA/HSA – Your flexible spending account or health savings account can be applied to your treatment cost!
On your first visit, we’ll walk you through the payment process, calculate your treatment cost and insurance coverage (if it applies), then create a custom financing plan that spreads your cost out in a way that works for you.
Reclaim Your Confident Smile Today
Teeth shifting after braces can happen when you don’t wear your retainer – but you don’t have to settle for a misaligned smile.
If you’re experiencing shifting teeth symptoms, clear aligners offer a simple, convenient way to get your smile back on track, without committing to another full round of braces.
Ready to explore your options? Book a complimentary consultation with Fritz & Wilson Orthodontics near you in Holly Springs, NC.
