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A member asked:
Do teeth always shift back if you don't wear a retainer?
3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Yes: After orthodontic treatment it takes time for the supporting bone to mature and reposition. During this time the teeth will tend to revert back to their original position. That is why a retainer is required. Some teeth will require long term or "fixed" retainer or the teeth will move.
Answered 12/28/2015
5.5k views
Usually: Always is a strong word, but i recommend retainers forever. Maybe not everynight, but if they are tight you need to wear them if they are lose, maybe not that night. There are lots of forces involved with teeth moving, and just because they have been aligned it does not mean there are still not forces trying to move them in different direction.
Answered 11/4/2016
5.4k views
Complicated: Immediately after braces removal, teeth can have a tendency to shift"back". Proper retainer wear in the first year will prevent this. As time goes on. Aging changes begin to creep in and teeth can shift as we see other parts of our bodies "shift". Think of your retainer as anti-wrinkle cream for your teeth.
Answered 2/24/2017
5.3k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
I've had braces b4,Will removing my wisdom teeth help my teeth straighten back the way it used to be? It's a little crooked I always wear my retainer
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
I wore invisalign 3 years ago, i stopped treatment right before i was done & i made the mistake to not wear a retainer. My teeth have mostly went back. What can i do? Do i need to start from scratch?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
If I dont wear my retainers will my teeth shift back (or jaw) to where it started before treatment or even worse?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
If you don't wear your retainer for a while and your teeth get crooked, would wearing them straighten them out?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
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