Braces Again? Are You Suffering from Orthodontic Relapse?
Can you get braces twice?
You surely remember the day when you finally got your braces off. How thrilled and relieved it must’ve felt to be able to smile without flashing those metal train tracks. And you probably thought that that was the last day you ever had to wear braces ever again! But here you are, trying to find out if you can wear braces once again (Whaaaat?).
Well, the simple answer is yes, you can. You might need to em-brace the tought for the second time as our teeth shift throughout our lives. But getting braces twice could be because of one or more of the following reasons.
Not wearing retainers
Maybe you didn’t wear your retainers properly after the first time you got your braces removed. Retainers are provided to keep the teeth from shifting again, and neglecting to wear them could result in undesired consequences. When braces are removed, the teeth usually tend to move back to their initial position. In orthodontia, this process is known as orthodontic relapse and can happen from various reasons. To prevent this, our orthodontist or dentist provides us with retainers, which are either fixed or removable. To ensure the continued success of the treatment, it’s important to wear your retainers regularly or for as long as you have been instructed to. Otherwise, getting a second set of braces later in life is inevitable.
Incomplete orthodontic treatment
You couldn’t complete your orthodontic treatment in the first place. And there could be various reasons behind that. Maybe you moved to a different place and couldn’t continue visiting your dentist. Or the orthodontic treatment was costing you too much. Another reason could be that you were a teenager at that time, and you had a low tolerance for pain. In any case, if you opt to stop your treatment midway, you are bound to get unsatisfactory results.
Misjudgment of the malocclusion of teeth
Malocclusion means the misalignment of teeth and is often the reason why a visit to the orthodontist is required. This issue can be resolved by wearing braces. Sometimes, though, misjudgements can occur, and the factor causing this misalignment of the upper and lower teeth is not resolved. For instance, if sometime in the future, a molar intrusion happens, it can change the outcome of the treatment, causing a shift in the alignment.
Not getting your teeth monitored regularly
If you want to show off a beautiful smile and attain those perfectly straightened pearly whites, being committed to getting your orthodontic treatment regularly monitored is a must. Your teeth or gums could alter in any way, and that could affect the end results of the treatment, so it is necessary to show up for every appointment with your orthodontist. Because if proper follow-up checks are not done or if the teeth are not being monitored consistently, the underlying issue won’t be resolved, and that could lead to a relapse.
Not complying with the dos and don’ts of braces
Well, if you’re one of those who don’t like to follow instructions (especially your orthodontist’s), you’re bound to see your teeth’s doom eventually. From eating food that’s not allowed, to missing appointments, to being careless about their oral hygiene, there are a good deal of patients who don’t understand that the results they expect to see rely mostly on their efforts toward keeping their smile straight. To see optimum results, follow your orthodontist’s advice duly. If these are not followed, the treatment will yield unsatisfactory results or take way too long to be completed.
Continuation of bad habits
This one’s for all those who have a sweet tooth and other habits that negatively affect their orthodontic treatment. Eating sticky and hard food, excessive chocolates, and gummies, smoking, and missing dental or orthodontic checkups may not seem like a big deal, but habits do have adverse effects on the treatment. Being irresponsible about your oral health can put the alignment of your teeth at risk, as gum problems can cause the enamel to erode or even lead to the loss of teeth. Therefore, to enjoy the benefit of straighter teeth, cease these bad habits altogether.
Gradual movement of teeth
As we grow older, our bodies go through changes, and our teeth are no exception. While it is absolutely normal to experience shifting of teeth throughout our lives, sometimes unexpected tooth movements can occur when there is a change in the balance of forces in our mouth. Our teeth are under pressure and stress constantly when we are awake and active, and this can add up over time. Even activities like sneezing, talking, smiling, and coughing cause the muscles of our jawbone and mouth to move. All these factors can lead to a slow but gradual shift in the alignment of teeth.
Some common factors that cause our teeth to shift include:
- Periodontitis or gum disease
- Osteonecrosis (a type of bone disease that causes the death of bone tissue)
- Oral cancer
- Tooth inflammation or periapical periodontitis
- Incomplete orthodontic treatment
- Dental trauma
- Wear and tear of dental fillings
- Tooth extraction
- Not wearing a retainer after braces
- Hormonal changes
- Pregnancy
- Factors of aging
- Unexpected jawbone growth
- Poor oral hygiene and habits
- Bruxism or teeth grinding
- Eruption of wisdom teeth
- CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
To stop your teeth from shifting, the cause behind the problem should be found and treated first. If gum disease is the reason behind relapse, you’ll want to go through treatment with a periodontist before commencing orthodontic treatment.
Although the most successful way for fixing shifting teeth, no matter what the cause may be, is braces, as they apply pressure to move teeth in the right direction.
The best treatment option for both children and adults is braces. And as per the American Association of Orthodontics, one out of five patients who need braces is over 21
Orthodontic relapse
Your first orthodontic treatment may have given you a picture-perfect smile. It could be that you still have that beautiful smile, or it could be that you see something has changed about your teeth when you look in the mirror. If you’re a previous orthodontic patient who has watched in dismay as your teeth have drifted back to their initial positions, you’re not the only one!
Did you know that even after the orthodontist declared your treatment to be complete, your teeth still had a tendency to move back to their original position? This gradual shifting of teeth is known as orthodontic relapse. And to avoid this from happening, your dentist must have provided you with a retainer. The most common cause behind orthodontic relapse is failure to consistently wear the retainers. There are various types of retainers that are low-maintenance and inconspicuous compared to braces.
Unfortunately, a lot of patients are excited to not have wires and appliances in their mouths and make the mistake of not wearing their retainers properly. Other times, patients misplace or break their retainer and completely ignore the fact that they ought to get it replaced. In one way or another, avoiding using the retainer accurately can result in relapse, where your teeth start to shift back to where they were originally.
Another reason why you might require orthodontic treatment again is because of unexpected growth. Teenage or pre-teen years are when many patients get braces, which is a good time to help direct healthy growth. Nonetheless, if growth continues and fast-tracks in an unanticipated direction, you could end up with spacing, crookedness, or misalignments that involve more treatment.
Certain injuries to the jaw could result in problems needing orthodontic correction as well. Bruxism is a quite common concern that can change the placement of the teeth. This disorder is often triggered by stress and is recognized by habitual teeth-grinding either during the day or while sleeping.
While gradual shifting of teeth is natural and there’s only so much you can do to prevent it, ensuring overall healthy oral habits and hygiene is one way you can start.
Here are some other preventative steps to reduce the risk of teeth shifting:
- Thoroughly brushing teeth twice every day
- Abstaining from smoking
- Wearing a well-fitted mouthguard while participating in sports
- Sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements to help counteract osteoporosis or bone disease
- Keeping sugar consumption under control to avoid gum disease
- Keeping good overall well-being
- Wearing a retainer consistently after braces
- Flossing at least once every day
- Following up with regular dental checkups and cleanings
- Wearing a nightguard (also known as a mouthguard, dental guard, bite splint, or nocturnal bite plate) for teeth grinding
- Being mindful of any treatments or medications that could distress the teeth
- Fixing poor posture
Treatment choices to consider
It’s not very common that a patient requires the same level of treatment as before. So one could consider faster, more convenient options than braces (And who likes to wear them anyway?). Invisalign is an option worth considering if you need a more significant correction for the second time. These aligners are entirely clear, letting you wear a sparkling smile that looks clean for the length of treatment. It is also possible to remove the aligners for a regulated amount of time, such as mealtimes or when you participate in a sporting event. This treatment option normally lasts between a period of 12 and 18 months, which is remarkably shorter than several other treatment plans that include braces.
If you think you might be able to benefit from an orthodontic treatment again, contact Georgian Dental today and book an initial consultation. We will do an in-depth exam and recommend treatment and payment options to fit your smile, your lifestyle, and your budget. Visit us today and get your smile in style!
