Having straight teeth is important not only for your appearance but also for your oral health. However, it’s common for teeth to shift over time after orthodontic treatment. Teeth naturally move throughout your life, which is why retainers are recommended after braces. Without retention, your teeth may crowd, rotate or drift after orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, there are ways you can help prevent your teeth from shifting if you want to maintain your straight smile.
Causes of Shifting Teeth
There are several reasons why your teeth may shift after orthodontic treatment:
- Natural maturation – Teeth continue to settle and align as you age. This natural process can cause slight tooth movement.
- Soft tissue pressures – Your lips, cheeks and tongue naturally apply light pressure to your teeth, which can cause gradual shifting.
- Lack of retention – Not wearing retainers as prescribed after braces allows your teeth to revert back to their original position.
- Missing teeth – Having a missing tooth leaves a gap that allows adjacent teeth to drift and tip into the space.
- Abnormal oral habits – Tongue thrusting, nail biting or chewing on hard objects may apply excessive force on teeth.
- Grinding and clenching – These parafunctional habits put pressure on teeth that can loosen them over time.
- Periodontal disease – Inflammation and loss of bone around teeth enables movement.
Options to Prevent Tooth Movement
If you want to avoid tooth shifting after completing orthodontic treatment, here are some options to consider:
Wear Your Retainers
Retainers are custom-made appliances designed to hold teeth in their new straightened positions after braces. They counteract the natural pressures placed on teeth that cause them to shift. For best results, retainers should be worn full-time for the first 6 months to a year after braces and then nightly on a long-term basis. Your orthodontist will advise you on the recommended retainer wearing schedule.
Consider Permanent Retention
Permanent retention involves bonded wires or flexible spirals attached to the back of your teeth. These fixed retainers hold teeth in position and prevent shifting. They may be placed on the top and/or bottom teeth and are meant to be worn long-term, though they can be removed by an orthodontist if desired. Permanent retention may be recommended for certain cases where teeth are more prone to moving.
Get Replacement Retainers
Over time, retainers can wear out or become ill-fitting. See your orthodontist periodically to check the condition of your retainer. If it is loose, warped or damaged, new impressions of your teeth will need to be taken to construct new retainers. Properly fitting retainers are essential to keep your teeth from shifting.
Schedule Ongoing Dental Visits
Visit your general dentist every 6 months for dental cleanings and checkups. Your dentist will monitor your retainers and the position of your teeth at these visits. Small tooth movements can be detected early and addressed by using new retainers or making adjustments. Regular dental visits help prevent significant shifting.
Get a Retainer Repair
If your retainer cracks or breaks, it’s important to get it repaired or replaced right away. A damaged retainer cannot effectively hold your teeth in place. As soon as you notice damage, call your orthodontist to get the retainer fixed. Leaving a broken retainer unrepaired will increase the likelihood of tooth shifting.
Avoid Tongue Thrusting and Oral Habits
Abnormal tongue thrusting, nail biting, chewing on ice or other hard objects, and teeth grinding/clenching should be avoided to prevent excess force on your teeth. Breaking these oral habits will help your teeth stay in position. Your orthodontist or general dentist can offer tips to stop any problematic oral habits.
Protect Teeth from Trauma
Injury to your teeth from a blow to the mouth may cause teeth to shift or become loosened from their sockets. Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports reduces the risk of dental trauma that could lead to tooth movement. Getting prompt treatment after any tooth injury will also help prevent long-term shifting.
Treat Periodontal Disease
Gum disease can destroy bone that supports your teeth, enabling them to move more freely. If gum disease is suspected, see a periodontist for treatment. Controlling periodontal infections and inflammation helps stabilize teeth in their sockets.
Can Shifting Be Prevented with Dental Work?
In some instances, cosmetic or restorative dental treatments may help deter tooth movement after orthodontic treatment:
- Dental bonding – Bonding material applied to the back of teeth acts as a brace, reinforcing the position of straight teeth.
- Dental crowns – Crowns fully encase teeth to provide rigid support and prevent minor shifting.
- Dental veneers – These thin tooth coverings add strength and stability to the underlying teeth.
- Dental implants – Implants fuse permanently with the jawbone, replacing tooth roots and stabilizing surrounding teeth.
However, no dental work can guarantee teeth won’t eventually shift to some degree. Dental treatments may slow tooth movement, but orthodontic retention is still needed to hold the teeth in position long-term.
When to Seek Treatment for Shifting
Minor tooth movement is normal, but significant shifting should be addressed. See your dentist or orthodontist if you notice:
- Visible gaps forming between teeth
- Teeth becoming overlapped or crooked
- Teeth flaring or rotating noticeably
- Biting issues from changes in tooth position
- A “shifted” appearance to your smile
The sooner tooth shifting is detected, the easier it is to correct. Ignoring the problem allows more progression. Getting an orthodontic evaluation at the first sign of tooth movement can prevent more extensive reshifting of your teeth.
Can Shifted Teeth Be Fixed?
In many cases, small tooth movement after orthodontic treatment can be fixed using:
- New retainers – Well-fitting retainers reposition teeth back to their intended places.
- Dental alignment – Minor movements can be corrected with dental bonding or veneers.
- Minor braces – Small orthodontic appliances, including clear aligners, can straighten mildly shifted teeth.
More significantly shifted teeth often require full braces or Invisalign again to straighten. The extent of tooth movement dictates what correction options are recommended by your orthodontist. The goal is to achieve proper tooth positioning for optimal function and facial aesthetics.
Prevention Is Ideal
While shifted teeth can be corrected, the best approach is prevention. Be diligent about wearing your retainers as prescribed after braces for optimal results. Also continue seeing your dentist twice yearly to monitor your teeth’s positions. With proper retention and dental care, you’re less likely to experience undesirable tooth movement later on.
Conclusion
Teeth naturally tend to shift over time after braces, but retaining your straight smile is possible with orthodontic retention. Wear your custom retainers as directed, repair any damage, continue dental visits, avoid bad oral habits and get prompt treatment if shifting occurs. Although some movement is expected, implementing preventive measures helps ensure your teeth stay where they belong – in alignment.