Traditional braces are the tried-and-true solution for addressing dental and bite misalignments impacting your oral health or appearance. This treatment utilizes metallic brackets cemented to the fronts of your enamel that are threaded with an adjustable archwire to exert enough pressure to shift your teeth to their ideal places.
However, if you completed this orthodontic service in the past and have noticed that your grin looks crooked again, you might wonder if you need a repeat treatment. Continue reading to learn why this sometimes happens and whether it’s considered safe to get braces a second time!
Can Teeth Relapse After Orthodontic Treatment?
Your teeth are anchored in place with various muscles and ligaments that have a natural capacity for movement, which is why orthodontic services can effectively shift them. With that said, they retain a muscle memory and are prone to drifting back to their starting places, especially once you’ve completed treatment and your braces are removed.
Unfortunately, your teeth might also have become misaligned due to the pressure of everyday biting and chewing. Whatever the reason for your crooked grin, your orthodontist can examine your condition to provide potential treatment plans that will help straighten your smile and preserve your dental health.
Is It Safe to Have Braces Twice?
For example, if your teeth are overcrowded or have wider gaps between them, or you’ve developed an overbite or some other malocclusion, your provider might recommend braces. This is the standard method of repositioning teeth and correcting bite problems and can be used to address everything from mild to severe cases.
But it’s natural to wonder if there might be negative consequences from having braces twice. Thankfully, undergoing orthodontic services isn’t usually considered risky, even if you’ve already completed treatment in the past. It’s possible that some patients may require braces twice in their lifetime, but fortunately, this is unlikely to cause any harm.
How Can I Preserve My Straighter Smile?
Many patients are surprised to learn that they might need to wear a retainer once their braces are removed. Although these oral appliances don’t exert enough force to move your teeth, they do place enough pressure to help keep them in their updated positions long enough for your mouth to adjust to the changes. Some people must wear them continuously to maintain the results, while others may only need to wear theirs at night for a specified period.
Your orthodontist will provide wear-time instructions for your retainer tailored to your unique circumstances to help you maintain your recently repositioned smile.
Meet the Author
Dr. Payam Ishani is passionate about helping patients enhance their daily lives by improving their oral health. He graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry and then completed specialty training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Today, he offers a variety of services to people of all ages, including standard braces. You can request a consultation appointment on the website or call (405) 254-5094.