What Happens to My Teeth After I Stop Wearing My Retainer?

While your teeth may seem like they’re moving much, they can shift faster than you think. The problem is that it’s not always predictable how quickly they’ll shift and where exactly they’ll shift to. If you’re wondering what happens when you stop wearing your retainer, we’ll look at the general consequences (to hopefully motivate you to stick to a schedule)!

Relapsing Teeth

Most people think about retainers after orthodontic treatment, though retainers in Houston aren’t always made for orthodontic patients. For instance, you might have more subtle misalignments that can be fixed with a retainer instead of requiring traditional braces or clear aligners.

No matter why you wear a retainer, though, the tendency is for your teeth to go back to their original positions — even if it’s not always clear how long that will take. In some cases, you can get back on track by just picking up your retainer-wearing routine again. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need to redo your orthodontic treatment (meaning you’ll need to be refit for braces all over again).

Retainers in Houston, TX

Failing to wear your retainer can do more than just impact your teeth and bite. It can actually impact your bone stability. Because your bones will adjust after treatment, just like your teeth do, a retainer will stabilize your bones so they can hold your teeth in place.

Because your teeth and mouth are different from everyone else’s, you’ll need to rely on your dentist in Houston, TX to monitor your progress. You may not wear your retainer forever, but you’ll want an experienced pro to tell when it’s time to pull back (and when you may need to return to a schedule). At Chloe Dental, we can tell you more about how to get the best results!