Why is there a gap in my teeth after braces?

The most common reason as to why braces have a hard time closing some gaps is because of the size, shape, or position of the teeth. A tooth may be too small to properly fill a space between two normally sized teeth. In this circumstance, it’s recommended that the tooth is resized and reshaped in order to fill the gap.

How do you fix a small gap in your teeth after braces?

If gaps are very small, your doctor may use modified retainers to push your teeth back into place. But if the gaps are bigger, you may need another round of treatment with aligners or braces to ensure that your teeth move back into position.

How much will my teeth move if I don’t wear my retainer?

Without a retainer, your teeth will begin to shift back to where they were before. “As we age, our teeth do naturally shift some on their own,” says Dr. Santiago Surillo. “But, wearing your retainer can help ensure that any shifting that does occur is minimal and you can keep the straight smile you have after braces.”

Can retainers move teeth back?

So the answer to the question, “can retainers move teeth back?” is yes, sometimes. If your retainer doesn’t fit snugly or causes pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dental professional for their recommendation.

Can retainer close small gap?

It is possible for a retainer alone to close gaps between teeth. So if an impression of your teeth is taken, the retainer is designed, and then you wear the retainer, it’s not going to move your teeth and close your gap unless the retainer is made to be smaller and in a different shape than your teeth are now.

What happens if you don’t wear your retainer after braces?

If you neglect to wear your retainer, your teeth may move back into their original position. This is what may happen if you do not wear your retainer after treatment with braces. Your teeth will begin to move back into their initial place as soon as your braces are removed.

What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?

When you stop wearing retainers consistently, the teeth will slowly shift and move into different positions. This means that formerly crowded teeth will become crowded and crooked again. Teeth that had spaces between then will revert to gaps opening back up.

Why are my teeth moving 10 years after braces?

Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process. They move to the front of the mouth, particularly those on the bottom arch, which can cause crowding, wear and aesthetic problems.

Will my old retainer close my gap?

In most cases, wearing an old retainer can realign your smile so long as your teeth have not shifted into an entirely new position. As a rule of thumb, wearing an old retainer should not be an issue so long as it still fits without needing to apply any force while inserting it over your teeth.

What if I never wear my retainer?

Going a year without wearing a retainer means that your teeth will have continued to move back to their original position and may even be crooked. The solution may be to restart treatment with braces. By wearing your retainer as instructed, you can prevent this from happening.