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Can My Old Retainer Be Used to Re-Straighten My Teeth?

February 2, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — orthorandolph @ 10:39 pm
a patient holding their retainer

If you’re concerned about orthodontic relapse, you might be wondering if an older retainer can be used to re-straighten your teeth and compensate for any unplanned misalignment following your treatment. Even though this might seem like a brilliant plan, is it actually a viable solution? Keep reading to learn more from your orthodontist about old retainers and why they aren’t usually able to provide you with the results you’re hoping for.

Can Old Retainers Re-Straighten Teeth?

Even after undergoing orthodontic treatment, your teeth will naturally adjust to the forces applied to them from daily activities like biting and chewing. This means that in some cases, your teeth might end up becoming misaligned after a while—especially if you don’t wear your retainer(s)!

Unlike braces or clear aligners, retainers aren’t designed to apply gentle pressure to your teeth in order to reposition them; instead, they’re meant to help preserve orthodontic results and prevent relapse, which is when your teeth begin to shift back into their previous and incorrect position.

Since they don’t apply the steady force needed to make major changes to your smile, you shouldn’t count on them to realign your teeth permanently, no matter any amount of wishful thinking! That said, if you’ve neglected your retainers for a few weeks or months, be sure to try them on to see if it still fits; they still might be able to help undo any minor shifting that’s recently occurred. If the retainer doesn’t fit snugly or causes pain, be sure to contact your orthodontist for assistance!

Tips for Caring for Your Retainer

Whether your retainer still fits, or you end up getting a new one, you should strive to take great care of it! Consider it a long-term insurance policy for your orthodontic treatment; it’s a small price to pay for a lifetime of beautiful results. That said, here are some tips to help you keep yours intact:

  • Brush your teeth after each meal to ensure that your retainer isn’t needlessly sullied when being worn.
  • Never eat while wearing your retainer, as this behavior might damage or disfigure it.
  • Keep your retainer in its storage case when it isn’t being worn.
  • Contact your provider as soon as you encounter a problem or lose your retainer.

Orthodontic relapse can be frustrating; after spending all of that time and money on your teeth, it would be a shame to see a reversal of your results. That said, you shouldn’t count on an old retainer being capable of addressing the issue and should instead see your orthodontist for a proper solution.

About the Practice

Our team here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is thrilled to serve the needs of patients and families in the Randolph area. We’re proud to offer a wide range of orthodontic services for children. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit with us for your little one, don’t hesitate to reach out through our website or by phone for assistance: (781) 767-7200.

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