What increases my risk for malocclusion after braces?

Lose retainer: Once orthodontic treatment has been completed, your teeth should be aligned properly. Your orthodontist or general dentist will have discussed with you various retention options (fixed vs. Removable). When a patient ask how long will they need to wear their retainers? I tell them as long as they'd like their teeth to stay straight. So not wearing your retainer & trauma will increase your risk.

2 major reasons: 1. If mediocre or poor treatment is done, you will still have a malocclusion. It is rare, but happens; in fact many times it is due to poor cooperation with such things as elastic rubber bands. 2. The most common reason for malocclusions secondary to braces is poor to no cooperation with retainers. My colleague is right: if you want your teeth to stay straight, wear your retainers as instructed.

Retention is: Retention is a life-time commitment to periodic wear of retention devices. Teeth change throughout life, it's a naturally-occurring process. Wear retainers to hold only the teeth you want to keep straight . . . How about all of them?

2 reasons: 1. Poor cooperation during treatment (as with poor hygiene causing gum inflammation which destabilizes teeth, insufficient elastic wear, etc) and after treatment (less than fully compliant retainer wear). Re-rx may be required. 2. Aberrant growth. About 1.5-3% of people have uneven jaw growth after braces are removed. After growth ceases re-rx may be required.

Depends: On if you wear your retainer. If yes, than very, very limited if at all. If you don't wear it, potentially high.

Retainers: If you don't wear your retainers, your teeth will begin moving. I recommend to my patients that they wear their retainers 24/7 for the first 4-6 months after removing the braces, then at night indefinitely. Once you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth can and most likely, will begin moving.

Orthodontic retainer: Teeth naturally tend to drift out of place, even after treatment with braces. You always need a retainer to stabilize your teeth after having braces.