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How to manage teeth shifting after braces?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I got braces a few years ago, and they were removed three years ago. I stopped wearing my retainers for a few months because they were broken. Now, my back teeth do not line up properly because one front tooth hits them and is being pushed backward. Because of this, I cannot smile with my back teeth aligned, and my teeth are shifting.

I went to my dentist to get my retainers fixed and asked them to look at the problem. However, my orthodontist said they were just going to fix the retainers. They took a scan and told me that the retainers would push my front tooth forward, but retainers cannot do that. It feels like they do not care about my misaligned teeth. Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Akmal Albert Asham Abdelmalek

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Akmal Albert Asham Abdelmalek is a Dental Surgeon skilled in preventive dentistry, oral and maxillofacial care, tooth extractions, root canal therapy, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures, and patient education to promote long-term oral health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

It is completely understandable to feel frustrated when your teeth start shifting after all the effort you put into wearing braces. This can be especially upsetting when you are concerned that retainers alone may not correct the problem. Retainers are primarily designed to hold teeth in place rather than move them, so if one tooth has shifted out of alignment, it is natural to question whether a retainer will be effective.

In some cases, orthodontists may use specialised retainers or make minor adjustments that can gently guide a tooth back into position. However, if the movement is more noticeable, additional treatment options may be required to properly address the issue.

The best next step is to clearly share your concerns with your orthodontist and ask them to explain how the retainer they are providing will specifically correct the tooth that is bothering you. If you still feel that your concerns are not being fully addressed, you have every right to seek a second opinion from another orthodontist. A fresh evaluation can help determine whether further treatment, such as minor adjustments or limited braces, would be more suitable. Ultimately, you deserve to feel confident in your smile and reassured that your treatment plan truly meets your needs.

Kindly revert if there are any queries.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At March 18, 2026
Reviewed At March 18, 2026

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Akmal Albert Asham Abdelmalek is a Dental Surgeon skilled in preventive dentistry, oral and maxillofacial care, tooth extractions, root canal therapy, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures, and patient education to promote long-term oral health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Akmal Albert Asham Abdelmalek is a Dental Surgeon skilled in preventive dentistry, oral and maxillofacial care, tooth extractions, root canal therapy, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures, and patient education to promote long-term oral health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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