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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    My teeth have become crooked again years after having braces... advice?

    Related Topic
    Oral Health
    I had braces about 10 years ago and wore my retainer for two years as I thought that was long enough. Now almost at age 30 I realise that my teeth are no longer perfectly straight. What are my options? Do I need to get braces again or is there something a bit less visible that can re-straighten my teeth?
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    Dr Kevin Jaffar

    Dentist

    Jaffar Dental - Trusted and Established since 1997. We are a family owned General Dental Practice offering a friendly and caring environment in Waterford QLD. … View Profile

    Braces move teeth to a new location but they need to be retained in the new location otherwise they can relapse to their original position. Unfortunately some form of braces or orthodontic treatment is needed if the crooked nature of the teeth is affecting the patients cosmetics or biting ability.

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    Dr Keith Hengpoonthana

    Dentist

    Principal dentist of Newington Dental Care. Previous teaching staff for the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney. Special interest in dental anxiety management and orthodontics. … View Profile

    Very common…. the only way to guarantee that teeth won't move after braces is to use a retainer for the rest of your life !

    Fortunately there are many options available with advantages,disadvantages and cost variation, speak to your dentist about which of these options would be suitable for you.

    1) Do nothing. If the way your teeth are now is acceptable to you, get a retainer made and hopefully it will stop the teeth from relapsing more.
    2) Braces (again). There are a few things that can make braces less visible. Ceramic (tooth coloured) brackets or lingual/palatal brackets (braces are placed on the inside surface of your teeth i.e. towards the tongue or palate making them less visible.
    3) Aligners e.g. Invisalign, clear removable plastic guards that move teeth and make them straight.
    4) Veneers - ceramic or resin coverings placed over the teeth that are crooked to give it the appearance that it is straight.

    Hope that helps. Take care :)

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    gazden

    HealthShare Member

    My daughter had braces for 18 months, she has had them off for approx 3 years, wearing her retainer as stated by the orthodontist for 2 years. Approx 1 year later of not wearing her retainer her bottom teeth became a little crooked.
    The orthodontist advised to persevere and wear her retainer continuously for a two week period. Although it hurt as her retainer did not fit correctly any more, after 2 weeks her teeth moulded back to the retainer and became straight. However, one of her front bottom teeth is now loose.

    She contacted the orthodontist who advised that her tooth/teeth will continue to loosen and may end of falling out if she does not have her wisdom teeth out.I would like to know your thoughts on this, it is very upsetting for her.

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    Dr Jeremy Rourke

    Dentist

    Some patients can be lucky with their initial course of tooth straightening and it will remain stable for life but many patients have crooked teeth because of muscle habits that tend to push the teeth crooked. If these habits are not, or can't be, corrected then the teeth will always tend to be crooked instead of straight. To avoid this tendancy for teeth to become crooked again many dentists recommend a retainer and somethime this needs to be worn at night for between five years after treatment and for the rest of your life.

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    Dr Roland Chong

    Dentist

    Teeth will tend to move with or without orthodontic treatment over our lifetime. Retainers should be worn for life after orthodontics to ensure the teeth do not move.

    The only option to straighten your teeth again will involve orthodontics.  Speak with your orthodontist or dentist for the available options.

    There are many ways to straighten the teeth with braces which can be hidden from view making the wearing of braces again less obtrusive. Speak to your dentist or orthodontist for the different options.

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    Dr Rohan Wijey

    Dentist

    Dr Wijey was born in Sydney, and then moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, where he graduated from Griffith University in Dentistry in 2009. At … View Profile

    The final position of teeth is determined by the surrounding musculature. Any orthodontics performed without changing this oral muscular environment will relapse.

    It is difficult to change the muscular environment in adults, which is why retainers are needed for life.

    However, in children under about 15 yrs of age, a Myobrace can be used to change these muscular causes of malocclusion.

    In terms of ‘less visible’ treatment options, the Myobrace System, Invisalign or lingual braces are the main candidates.

    I am the CEO of MRC Clinics, and lecture around the world in the technique. Visit myobrace.com if you are a member of the public and myoresearch.com if you are a professional.

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    Sharon Moore

    Speech Pathologist

    I am a Speech Pathologist with 30 years clinical experience, working over the years with a wide range of clients with communication and swallowing disorders. … View Profile

    This is an interesting discussion. Yes I agree muscle forces in the mouth and face can have an influence on teeth positioning and stability of orthodontic intervention. An additional option to using corrective appliances and/or retainers, is to retrain the muscles themselves, using an Orofacial Myology approach. Muscle habits that are detrimental to teeth positioning can be corrected over time.

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    Spenti HHH

    HealthShare Member

    Hi, Usually people fix braces to align their teeth in an accurate angle. I have fixed my braces when I was 19 and was removed after 2 years. The treatment was good and affordable. Now I'm 29 and still my teeth are on the perfect alignment. I think you have not consulted a professional dentist. Bt it's not too late now. If you want to straight align your teeth now, it's perfectly possible. You can prefer 6 months braces ( <u>http://www.shorttermbraces.com/6-month-braces/overview/ </u> )if want a quick result. Hope my piece of advice might help you.

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    Elizabeth Torres

    HealthShare Member

    Best advice... Always wear your retainer! Always!

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