Can I Use My Old Retainer to Re-Straighten My Teeth?

After you finish orthodontic treatment, your retainer’s job is to keep your teeth in their new positions. Sadly, though, that does not guarantee that your smile will maintain its alignment. If you do not wear your retainer as instructed, or other sad circumstances occur, you may find that your teeth drift out of place! You might wonder, then, if you can use your old retainer to re-straighten your smile. This blog post explores what you should know.

Retainers Are Not Meant to Move the Teeth

In the vast majority of cases, retainers cannot be used to re-straighten teeth that have drifted out of place. That is simply because retainers are not designed for that purpose; they cannot apply the right amount of force to significantly move the teeth. Plus, if your teeth have drifted far enough out of place, you may even find that it is impossible to get your retainer to fit on them.

However, the good news is that if your teeth have only shifted slightly, your retainer may be able to help. If it still fits on your teeth but feels a little bit snug, try wearing it consistently for a while. It may be able to get your smile back where it belongs.

Correcting New Misalignment

If your retainer no longer fits, do not try to force it onto your teeth. Instead, visit your dentist to talk about your orthodontic options.

If the idea of getting braces again does not appeal to you, find out if you are a candidate for a more convenient treatment, such as Invisalign clear aligners. They have a discreet appearance, and their removable nature can allow you to enjoy dietary freedom throughout your treatment.

Depending on how far your teeth have moved, your second course of orthodontic treatment may be much shorter than your first. In fact, it might take just a few months to re-align your smile!

Retainers are designed for orthodontic retention, not realignment. Talk to a qualified care provider to learn more about how to achieve and maintain a straight, healthy, and confident smile.

Meet the Practice

At Landmark Dental Studio in Greenwood Village, we are proud to have an on-staff certified Invisalign Platinum Plus Provider. If you are concerned that your teeth have drifted out of place since a previous orthodontic treatment, we would be happy to speak with you about your options for correcting your dental alignment. Get in touch with us at 303-773-8013.