What Happens if I Stop Wearing My Retainer?

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Orthodontic treatment, whether through braces or Invisalign®, is an investment in your oral health and self-esteem. After the initial treatment, dentists and orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer to maintain your results. When you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth are more likely to gradually shift back to their original positions. This process is called orthodontic relapse, and it can be disheartening to see your hard-earned progress slowly fade away.

That said, while the impacts of orthodontic relapse can be distressing, for many patients, the thought of having braces again may be just as unappealing. Fortunately, our Lexington cosmetic dentist, Dr. Jenny Miller, offers several solutions that can help patients restore a straighter, more uniform smile without the need for metal brackets and wires. Two of the most popular options for correcting orthodontic relapse are porcelain veneers and Invisalign®:

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells of high-quality dental ceramic that are bonded to the fronts and sides of your teeth. They can effectively hide mild misalignment and a variety of other dental imperfections, giving you a straighter and more aesthetically pleasing smile. While veneers don’t address the root cause of the misalignment, they provide a cosmetic solution that can restore your confidence. At Hamburg Expressions, dental veneers are all custom-made at our on-site dental lab by Certified Master Technician Neil Miller.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is an excellent choice for those who want to address orthodontic relapse more comprehensively. These clear aligners are custom-designed to gradually move your teeth back into their proper positions. Invisalign® is discreet, comfortable, and highly effective at achieving a straighter smile, offering patients the benefit of orthodontic treatment without the aesthetic drawbacks of traditional braces.

Ultimately, the ideal course of action is to wear your retainers as directed in order to preserve the results of your initial orthodontic treatment. However, in cases where relapse does occur, Dr. Miller can assess your goals and the degree of misalignment present in order to help you decide on the ideal treatment option for restoring your results.

Contact Hamburg Expressions today to learn more about orthodontic relapse and the different treatments we offer to help you restore a straighter smile.