Even after you’ve finished straightening your smile with braces, your teeth may slowly shift out of place over the years, eventually ending up crooked again. If this happens, you may find yourself wondering what solutions are available. In many cases, Invisalign clear aligners can be a great way to correct minor orthodontic issues. But is Invisalign an option if you’ve already worn braces in the past? Here are the facts.
Why Might Your Teeth Shift After Braces?
It’s actually normal for your teeth to shift as you grow older. As the years pass, your jaw starts to lose some of its bone density. This weakens the foundation holding the teeth in place, making them prone to shifting.
Oftentimes, shifting teeth may be a consequence of not wearing your retainer as often as you should. Once your braces have been removed, it takes time for the tissues around your newly straightened teeth to stabilize. As such, failing to wear your retainer could cause your teeth to start moving back toward their original positions.
Can You Get Invisalign Even After Braces?
The simple answer is yes; even people who have already worn braces can still qualify for an Invisalign treatment. That said, your dentist will need to examine your mouth in order to determine whether Invisalign is truly right for you. In general, as long as your orthodontic issues aren’t too severe, there’s a good chance that they can be corrected with personalized clear aligners.
How is Invisalign Different from Braces?
Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign is a very different type of orthodontic treatment. It does not utilize brackets and wires. Instead, it involves a series of clear aligners that are designed for your specific mouth. You simply need to wear these aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours every day; they will put pressure on your teeth in order to guide them toward their ideal positions. You’ll switch to the next set of aligners in the series roughly every two weeks.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners can be taken out of your mouth at any time. Thus, you won’t have to worry about damaging them while eating your favorite foods; you can simply take them out of your mouth before enjoying a meal or snack. You can also remove your aligners when it’s time to brush and floss your teeth, which makes it significantly easier to clean your smile as thoroughly as possible.
Furthermore, Invisalign is much more discreet than traditional braces. Most people won’t even notice the clear aligners while you’re wearing them. This makes Invisalign a much more image-friendly solution for misaligned teeth.
In short, if you’ve ended up with crooked teeth again after braces, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your dentist about Invisalign. In many cases, it could be the key to once again enjoying a straighter, more confident smile.
About the Practice
At Titanium Dental of Fort Worth, our team is passionate about helping patients achieve smiles that they can be proud of. Dr. Devarshee Patel and our caring team offer Invisalign to local patients looking for a discreet, comfortable way to correct teeth that are crooked or otherwise misaligned. If you’re ready to find out whether Invisalign is the right next step for you, visit our website or call us at (817) 367-9333 to schedule an appointment.