Will My Teeth Get Crooked Again After Invisalign?

You’ve concluded your orthodontic treatment after dutifully wearing your Invisalign aligners. You look in the mirror and are thrilled with your new smile. “Finally!” you think, “The smile of my dreams!” You want to keep that smile looking just as good years from now as it does today. To keep that smile, it’s important to maintain good oral health and take steps to prevent teeth from shifting. 

Orthodontic treatment doesn’t stop the last day you wear braces or Invisalign. In fact, it is common for teeth to move, especially in the first year after treatment. This article will cover preventative measures you can take to ensure your teeth don’t get crooked again as well as what to do if you experience misalignment after Invisalign treatment.

Why do teeth get crooked again after Invisalign?

The simplest explanation for why teeth get crooked again after orthodontic treatment is because your teeth haven’t become fully fixed in their new positions yet. Orthodontic treatment involves moving your teeth into proper alignment, and as a part of this, they cause your body to remodel bone around your teeth. Our bodies are miraculous and they adapt to the pressure applied to your teeth by removing bone from the side where there is pressure and forming new bone on the side that doesn’t have enough force. This new bone is not as hard as your original bone, which means your teeth can move back to their former position.

There are other potential reasons for shifting teeth, including grinding your teeth (bruxism) at night, poor oral health, diabetes, and thyroid hormone issues. Even if you and your teeth are in perfect health, your teeth will likely shift over the years.

How to prevent teeth from getting crooked again after Invisalign

To prevent your teeth from getting crooked again after orthodontic treatment, make sure to wear your retainer consistently. At the conclusion of your orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will fit you for a retainer to preserve your beautiful smile. Make sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions for wearing your retainer. Orthodontists normally recommend patients wear their retainer for the majority of the day in the beginning months after Invisalign treatment. Then you will likely be able to start wearing it less and less while still maintaining your straight teet. Similar to your Invisalign treatment, you will want to remove your retainer while eating and make sure you put them in their storage case when not in use.

Make sure you maintain good oral health, which includes brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day. Keep your regularly scheduled dentist visits, every six months, for a professional cleaning and a check-up on your teeth and retainer, and replace your retainers as they wear out.

How to treat crooked teeth after Invisalign

While prevention is key, there are methods for treating teeth that shift after Invisalign. Your orthodontist may recommend Invisalign Express, which is designed to fix small orthodontic issues in a short period of time. The treatment is much shorter than what you experienced with your original Invisalign treatment, consisting of approximately five to ten trays over a period of three months.

If you experience your teeth becoming crooked again after Invisalign, make sure to schedule a visit to your orthodontist to determine the best treatment option.