How long teeth relapse after braces?

Relapse means that the teeth can take up to one year or more to stabilize after treatment. If you had gaps between your teeth before treatment, the retention period will be longer. Usually, retainers are worn for as long a time as you have had your braces.

How common is orthodontic relapse?

It may not be a common topic, but orthodontic relapse is actually fairly common. In fact, some studies estimate that over half of all orthodontic patients will experience some level of relapse within 10 years of completing their treatment.

Can your bite relapse after braces?

Relapse is very common among braces wearers, especially during the first year after the braces are removed. The main reason why teeth relapse in this period is that they aren’t yet fully fixed in their new places.

How can I stop my braces from relapse?

Preventing and Treating Relapse Follow your dentist’s instructions exactly to prevent relapse. You will have to wear your retainer constantly for a short number of months after the braces come off, then wear it periodically for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight.

Why do braces relapse?

If mandibular arch form is either willingly or unwillingly violated during treatment, relapse is almost certain after discontinuance of retention. Expansion of the mandibular canines, with rare exception due to canines lingually positioned in the original malocclusion, is also a contributor to orthodontic relapse.

What causes tooth relapse after braces?

Tooth relapse after braces is very common, especially in the first year after braces. The cause is simple: your teeth have been moved, but they haven’t become fully fixed in their new places yet. When braces and other orthodontic treatments move your teeth, they cause your body to remodel bone around your teeth,…

Is it normal to have gaps between teeth years after braces?

Gap in teeth years after braces You may have gaps between teeth a few years after getting braces off because of the relapse tendency of certain cases like a rotated tooth or severe cases in which braces aren’t recommended like a skeletal malocclusion or not wearing a retainer for a required duration after removal of braces.

Do your teeth move back after braces?

After wearing braces for months, or even years, the last thing you want is to find that your teeth are moving back to their old position. This kind of relapse can be quite distressing, leaving you feeling like the whole painful process of having braces was a waste of time.

Do you need a retainer after braces removal?

If you have very small gaps between teeth after braces removal, a retainer may fix that problem. But, to do the work, you need an active retainer, which means, your orthodontist makes it in such a way that it put pressure on teeth. It’s not the same as the retainer that holds the teeth after braces treatment.