We see it often — patients go through months, if not years, of treatment with braces to get their perfect smile. Then over time, they find that their teeth have shifted, and their perfect smile isn’t so perfect anymore. Does that mean more months or years with braces? Not necessarily. Invisalign may be a faster, easier alternative to restoring that gorgeous smile!
Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics is a Diamond+ Top 1% Invisalign provider. We can use our expertise in Invisalign to provide a solution to your shifting smile, and it may take less time than you expect!
Why Did My Teeth Move?
There are several reasons why your teeth might move after braces. The most common reason is that the retainers given after the braces are removed aren’t worn properly. Patients must wear a retainer after their braces or Invisalign clear aligners are removed.
Why is this so important? Your teeth have spent months moving into their proper positions. This movement softens the jawbone, which allows the teeth to move. Your jawbone is still malleable once the braces or clear aligners are removed. It takes time to harden — or set — and keep the teeth in place permanently. During that time, your teeth can continue to move unless something holds them in place. That’s where your retainer comes in.
Retainers hold your teeth in place while your jaw hardens. That’s why we tell you to wear your retainer for at least 22 hours a day for the first three months or so. After that time, it can usually be worn overnight because the jaw has hardened enough to allow for more time without the retainer. But if the retainer isn’t worn properly, the teeth can continue to move.
Ideally, you should wear your retainer every night indefinitely. Many people stop wearing them after a year or two. So why would your teeth move after that? Several factors may be involved, including grinding your teeth, thrusting your tongue against your teeth, having poor oral hygiene practices that lead to gum disease, an illness that affects the jaw or bones, or injury such as an impact accident.
Can Invisalign Fix My Teeth?
Once you’re out of braces, you probably won’t be very eager to go back into them. That may not be necessary, thanks to Invisalign. The clear aligners can fix various orthodontic issues, from overbites and crossbites to gap teeth and overcrowded teeth. If your teeth haven’t moved significantly, then there’s a good chance Invisalign can straighten them back out. They may be able to do so in as little as six months!
Invisalign uses a series of custom-designed trays to move your teeth, and they do so while being nearly invisible on your teeth. Invisalign is removable, so you don’t have to worry about food restrictions.
Just as Invisalign can help create that beautiful smile, it can also help restore it in less time than you might think. If there has only been minor movement, treatment to restore your smile may only take a few months. Extreme movement could take much longer, so it’s important to address your dental misalignment as soon as possible.
Getting Back That Beautiful Smile
As a Top 1% Invisalign provider, Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics can use its expertise with Invisalign to create a treatment plan to get your perfect smile back. If your teeth have moved since treatment, or if you want to start treatment, you can schedule an appointment for a no-obligation evaluation in our Topeka or Seneca, KS office.
Teeth movement after treatment can be frustrating, but Invisalign can restore your smile with a low-profile treatment. It is possible to get that perfect smile back!
