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Can I Straighten My Teeth with My Old Retainer?

March 6, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — huntingtonortho @ 2:01 pm
a person holding two dental retainers in the palms of their hands

If you’re being honest, you probably didn’t do a good job of wearing your retainer after completing your Invisalign treatment last time, right? Now that some time has passed, your teeth are no longer straight, and you could use some help to improve your oral health and aesthetic. If you’re considering reaching for your old retainer thinking it will do the trick, you may want to rethink that idea. Read on to learn why it might be better to let an orthodontist put your teeth back into alignment instead.

Can a Retainer Straighten Teeth?

It depends. Generally speaking, no, a retainer cannot help you achieve the same results as braces. However, it’s not impossible to bring teeth back into alignment with a retainer, but it depends on how long you’ve been without one.

Not wearing your retainer for a few days will have you seeing your teeth shift, but if you reinsert your retainer, you should be able to get them back into alignment with no issues. But if you’ve spent several months or years without wearing your retainer, you’ll need to prepare for a visit with your orthodontist to discuss treatment options again. It’s likely that your retainer will not even fit comfortably in your mouth anymore. Why? Not only have your teeth shifted, but new bone tissue develops, causing your previous oral device to no longer fit or feel comfortable.

What if the Retainer No Longer Fits?

If too much time has passed and you’re left with misaligned teeth and a retainer that no longer fits, the only option is to see your orthodontist. You will likely need traditional metal braces or clear aligners to fix the problem and improve your appearance. The reality of the situation means spending time and money to realign your smile once again.

It’s important to remember that orthodontic treatment is a costly investment. Choosing to disregard your retainer after you’ve completed your time with braces or clear aligners will only cause you to go through the process all over again if you want to recapture the improved health and look of your smile.

Although you may be ready to say goodbye to orthodontics once the braces come off, you must re-evaluate how you look at your retainer. Is it simply another device you’re required to wear for a  designed amount of time, or is it a way to secure your investment? If you lean toward the latter, you’ll understand the importance of wearing it according to your orthodontist’s recommended timeframe.

About the Author
Dr. Justyna Balicka is a trusted orthodontist in Huntington. Helping patients with crowded, crooked, or gapped teeth, as well as those with misaligned bites, she offers a wide array of orthodontic services designed to bring smiles into proper alignment. Whether it is traditional braces, Invisalign, or one of the other available options, she and her team at Huntington Orthodontics will work to ensure the health and longevity of an individual’s smile. However, should teeth begin to shift back toward their original position, she can help stop the process and bring teeth back to where they need to be. If your teeth have shifted and you need help, contact us at (631) 423-7857.

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