Getting your braces off is a milestone! After months (or even years) of dedicated alignment, seeing that perfectly straight smile in the mirror is incredibly rewarding. For our valued patients at PretoriaSmile, this is a moment to celebrate. However, the journey to a lifelong straight smile isn’t quite over. We need to talk about relapse.
What Exactly is Orthodontic Relapse?
Orthodontic relapse is the natural tendency of your teeth to shift back toward their original, pre-treatment positions after your braces are removed. Think of your teeth and the surrounding bone structure like a piece of elastic that’s been stretched and then suddenly released—it wants to return to its resting state.
This movement is normal and inevitable to some degree, as the surrounding periodontal ligaments, gum tissues, and jawbone adjust to the new alignment. If you skip the essential step that follows braces, that “sneaky comeback” can undo all your hard work quickly.
Why Does Relapse Happen?
Understanding the forces at play helps you appreciate the importance of the next phase:
- Gum and Ligament Memory: The fibres surrounding your teeth have a “memory” of where they used to be. They gently pull the teeth back over time.
- Bony Adaptation: The bone that supports your teeth needs time to fully remodel and solidify around the new tooth positions. This adaptation process continues long after the braces are off.
- Lingual Pressure: Habits like tongue thrusting or even the pressure from your lips and cheeks can exert subtle forces that encourage movement.
- Wisdom Teeth: If wisdom teeth emerge after treatment, they can push the back teeth forward, causing a domino effect.
Your Essential Shield: Retention is Non-Negotiable
Here at PretoriaSmile, we stress this: Retention is the retainer phase of treatment. It is not optional. Retention is what locks in your fantastic results.
There are generally two main types of retainers:
- Fixed (Bonded) Retainers: A thin, custom-made wire is permanently bonded to the backside of your upper and/or lower front teeth. Since this wire is hidden, it’s incredibly effective and requires no daily effort from you!
- Removable Retainers: These can be clear aligner-style retainers (like Essix) or the traditional Hawley retainer. They are fantastic for allowing natural cleaning but rely entirely on your commitment to wear them as instructed.
Prof. Ghabrial at PretoriaSmile always advises, “The first six months after debonding are critical. Even if you have a fixed retainer, wearing your removable retainer full-time initially is the best insurance policy against relapse.”
Tips for a Lifetime Straight Smile
Your commitment to retention dictates your long-term success:
- Follow the Schedule Religiously: If we say wear your removable retainer full-time for the first three months, wear it full-time. After that, the wear time usually reduces (e.g., every night while sleeping), but never stops completely without consulting us.
- Keep It Clean: Clean your retainers daily with a soft brush and denture or retainer cleaner to prevent bacteria buildup.
- Keep It Safe: When you take your removable retainer out to eat or brush, store it in its designated case. Never wrap it in a napkin or leave it on a table where it can be lost or damaged.
- Regular Check-ups: Keep up with your post-treatment appointments at PretoriaSmile so we can monitor your retainer fit and your overall bite stability.
Relapse is manageable, but prevention is always easier than correction. By embracing your retention phase, you ensure that the beautiful, confident smile we created together stays picture-perfect for years to come!
If you’ve recently finished your braces and need a retainer check, or if you’re concerned about shifts in your smile, please call PretoriaSmile today!
