Why are my teeth shifting even if I wear my retainer?

Wearing Retainers Following Braces While the natural settling process may still cause you to notice a slight degree of tooth shifting even if you wear your retainer, using a retainer is the best way to keep shifting to a minimum and preserve your bite.

Can you fix shifted teeth with retainer?

In many cases, a retainer can fix slight shifts of your teeth once your braces have been removed. While this method of teeth straightening may not fully work, retainers can make minimal corrections. Retainers can also be used if your teeth have moved to an abnormal position after the braces are taken out.

Is it bad to wear your retainer every night?

After a year has passed, you should be okay to wear your retainer every other night for the rest of your life. If you ever feel that your retainer feels tight, you should resume wearing it every night until the retainer slightly loosens into a more comfortable position.

How do I know if my retainer doesn’t fit?

Is your retainer not fitting? If it’s too loose, or too tight to put comfortable in your mouth, then it is no longer fitting. Don’t force it – and don’t try to adjust it at home!

Will a retainer fix one crooked tooth?

A single misaligned tooth can be repaired in a reasonably efficient way using either removable or fixed retainers. We can help you determine the best choice based upon your lifestyle, comfort level, and other factors. Many patients prefer removable retainers since they do not have to be worn during social occasions.

How long can I not wear my retainer?

Some people may need to wear their retainer 24 hours a day for up to 4 months, while other people may be advised to wear theirs full-time for 8 to 10 months.

Do orthodontists keep retainer molds?

In the case of a removable retainer, the patient can call their orthodontist, and ask that a new retainer be made along the lines of the old one. The good news is that the orthodontist probably has kept the patient’s retainer molds. This will protect a fixed retainer during the night, and keep the teeth stable.

Will my teeth shift without retainer for a week?

During this time, a week without your retainer may cause some minor shifting. Your retainer may feel a bit tighter on your teeth when you place it back in again. Throughout the rest of your retention phase, it’s still possible for your teeth to shift a bit if you go without wearing your retainer for a week.

What if my retainer only fits halfway?

Contact your orthodontist for a visit: you may need to get the retainer adjusted, or get a new retainer. If your teeth have shifted slightly due to irregular wear but your retainer still fits without too much force, go back to wearing your it full-time until it becomes comfortable again.

Can a retainer fit if the teeth have shifted?

A retainer can’t fit if the teeth have shifted… It should not be flexible. If worn daily, the teeth cannot move…. If the teeth have moved in some way, then the retainer would not fit. To prevent the problem from continuing, immediately see the orthodontist who treated you and made the retainers.

What happens if you don’t wear your retainers for 2 years?

, studied at Georgetown University. You retainers may not fit after not wearing them for 2 years. Relapse following removal of braces is very common. The greater the distance teeth are moved orthodontically, the greater the pressure for the teeth to move back.

Can I still wear my braces If I have a retainer?

Check with your dentist to make sure they fit and that the teeth have not moved to the point of the retainer being a binder instead. If they can still fit its a possibility that you could still wear them. However you need to check with your orthodontist. He has to examine your teeth and the retainer then advise you accordingly.

How long does it take for dental retainers to work?

Most retainers are designed to hold tooth positions not actively move teeth. Whether you get any improvement after two years depends on the amount of relapse since you stopped wearing the appliance.