Orthodontic Relapse

Orthodontic relapse is when the tooth shifts to an unfavorable position after completing orthodontic alignment. It can be due to growth or genetic factor. But when the regression is higher, then retreatment may be required. Following strict retention protocols can reduce the risk of orthodontic relapse.

  
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My front teeth was bent inward during ortho treatment is moving back now. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I had two upper premolars removed during my ortho treatment and the front two teeth bent inward. The new doctor corrected it, but now the same thing is happening again. Why?  Read Full »


Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Removing upper premolars is a part of orthodontic treatment if space requirements make it mandatory. This is done to take back your forwardly placed front teeth. The doctor should maintain the inclinations of the front teeth while taking them back. Failure of which l...  Read Full »

How can I fix my open bite that occurred due to orthodontic relapse?

Query: Hi doctor,I have misaligned teeth due to not wearing a retainer after I had worn braces 16 years ago. I am now 31 years old. I was firmly rejected for braces recently by the orthodontist because of some root canals treatments and extractions (last upper molar missing would be a huge risk) that are d...  Read Full »


Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Indeed the condition of your dentition is not good (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). There are missing molars, and the overbite has increased because of missing molars allowing front teeth to erupt more and causing deep bit...  Read Full »

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 »

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