Recently Answered Questions
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My teeth got shifted after some years of ortho treatment. Why?
Query: Hello doctor,I got my braces treatment done before 12 years, as my teeth in the upper jaw were outwards than lower ones. Doctor put braces on my upper jaw as the problem was in the upper jaw teeth. But after two to three years teeth starting shifting and now I have developed spaces between teeth ran... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The reason for relapse are many, 1. Dietary habits, eating hard food, putting much pressure on teeth. 2. Not using retainers up to the suggested time. 3. Internal factors such as lower teeth or jaw alignment which might be interfering with upper jaw alignment. 4.... Read Full »
I have space between my teeth despite using a retainer. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I want to know whether it is the starting of gap formation between my teeth? It started two months back. I already had an orthodontic treatment two years ago and have permanent retainers. My retainers are not broken, they are perfectly placed, but still, there is a gap formation. Pleas... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Upon review, it is difficult to find any spacing in the pictures you shared (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). I have these suggestions for you- 1. Ideally, teeth contact near contact points. I see the ... Read Full »
What if I do not wear retainers post orthodontic treatment?
Query: Hello doctor, Four years ago, I got my teeth straight from a dental clinic using some braces. At the end of the treatment, they asked me to wear some teeth clips so that there would not be any gap formation. But as I have not followed it well there are some gaps in my teeth. So I want to know if th... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should have followed your dentist's advice and used retainers a little longer to avoid the relapse you are going through now. For now, I suggest you make an appointment with the same dentist if possible and ask if the relapse can be managed with the help of remov... Read Full »
Loose teeth after braces, cannot use Invisalign. Need help.
Query: Hello doctor, I had braces before, and the doctor gave me an Invisalign to wear at night when he took off my braces. However, while taking off the braces from my lower front teeth, my three lower front teeth were loose, and since then, I have had a problem eating food or wearing an Invisalign, as it... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should have worn your clear retainers (they are not Invisalign) for around two years at least so that the teeth can get strong at the correct position. Then, in your current condition, you can go for Invisalign therapy to correct those minor rotations of the fron... Read Full »
Is it okay not to wear retainers for a few weeks?
Query: Hi doctor, I just left for a two-and-a-half-week vacation and realized I forgot my retainer at my home. Will my teeth shift drastically in that time, and is it fine to wear my retainer when I get back? I have had my braces off for almost five years and usually wear my retainer every night. Kindly he... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. After that, we generally taper down the retainer, and the patient can stop using it after one and a half years to one year and nine months. However, this does not apply to all cases. For example, certain cases require longer retainers; some mi... Read Full »
Can one wear braces after undergoing Invisalign treatment?
Query: Hello doctor, My daughter underwent orthodontic treatment with dental braces for the past year. Then during half of the treatment doctor removed the dental braces and gave Invisalign, then continued with another retainer. Then finally, the orthodontist said that she need to go for upper braces again... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. The braces may be removed during her active phase. But even the retainers can handle it. You must have skipped your retainers or Invisalign at times so that the teeth under retention have many possible chances to rotate or move. Please visi... Read Full »
I experience a relapse after retainer removal. What to do?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 53 years old. I had my permanent retainers removed six months ago, after 26 years. My lower front teeth are flaring out. They are hitting the back of my upper front teeth. I am a tongue thruster. Can I have these teeth that had the retainer removed, rebraced, and another permanent... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Yes, you can get the particular segment of teeth re-braced and later a permanent retainer. However, you can also have other options to consider before deciding on the treatment option. Before that, we should initiall... Read Full »
Can I revert my face profile after orthodontic treatment?
Query: Hello doctor,Will re-opening my extraction space cause relapse? Would it bring my face back to a pre-extraction profile? I have had braces for two years and got extraction six months ago to correct a slight flaring, but I regret it. I have a sunken face and lazy eyes now. Kindly suggest. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Although I cannot say much without actually seeing and examining your case, you cannot go back to your previous state before extraction. It would be too much trauma to the moving teeth and may cause irreparable harm. You can ask your orthodontist to finish your case a... Read Full »
How long will it take for the teeth to realign if I start the treatment?
Query: Hello doctor, My teeth shifted after braces, and I accidentally lost my retainer at work and could not afford a new one then. My last orthodontic treatment left gaps, crooked teeth, and crossbites. How severe is my case, and how long treatment will I need again? I am attaching pictures of my teeth. ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Retainers are an important part of orthodontic treatment as they hold the teeth in the corrected position until the bone beneath gets matured enough and does not allow them to return to previous positions. This process takes about 10 to 11 months, so it is advised to w... Read Full »
I stopped wearing a retainer and my teeth shifted back. Help.
Query: Hello doctor,I had worn braces for over three years and was given a retainer after that. I have not worn the retainer for a while, and two of my bottom front teeth have moved. Will they move back to the place if I wear the retainer again? Kindly advise. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Retainers are one of the most important phases of orthodontic treatment. They help hold on to the changes done during the treatment and do not allow the teeth to go back into their previous positions. It takes about a year for the tissues t... Read Full »