Some patients find wearing retainers a difficult routine to comply with and end up abandoning use for a period of time. This is never great news, but the upside is that there are still plenty of solutions for those in this situation! Today, our team at Dr. Melanie Orthodontics will discuss and provide further context on the popular topic of whether you can wear your retainer after years without it.
Addressing Some Common Issues
Let’s begin by discussing some of the potential consequences of not wearing your retainer for an extended time. Dr. Melanie can help identify these issues and recommend the best course of action to address them.
- Teeth Shifting: When your retainer isn’t in use for a long time, your teeth are likely to revert back towards their original positioning prior to your orthodontic treatment. New or returning bite issues can also occur in addition to this.
- Discomfort: It’s typical for patients to experience some discomfort as their teeth start shifting again for the first time in a while, especially as your bite becomes misaligned again.
- Aesthetic Concerns: Another consequence of not using your retainer is having your smile physically altered, which can impact your self-confidence.
- Impact on Oral Function: Activities like eating or speaking can become difficult due to misalignment.
- Gum Issues: Crooked teeth can produce small areas that are difficult to clean, which increases your risk of developing gum disease and cavities.
- Increased Need for Future Treatment: Finally, tooth movement can require the need for additional orthodontic treatment—meaning extra time and money beyond your initial treatment plan.
Will My Old Retainer Work?
There are a number of reasons why we would advise against simply resuming use of your prior retainer:
- Fit Issues: It’s highly likely that your old retainer now has a poor fit. A retainer that doesn’t fit properly can actually worsen alignment issues.
- Hygiene Concerns: Retainers, like other removable appliances, accumulate bacteria or become contaminated when they aren’t cleaned regularly. Using an old, dirty retainer can jeopardize your oral health.
- Comfort and Function: A poorly fitting retainer will cause irritation and discomfort since it won’t exert the proper amount of pressure on your teeth. It’s important to use a retainer that properly supports your teeth and bite alignment in their current position.
Starting Fresh
So if you find yourself in these circumstances, let’s take a look at how to resume treatment with Dr. Melanie. Whether you’re returning or entirely new to Dr. Melanie Orthodontics, we’re here to get you back on track and address all of your one-on-one treatment needs!
- Consultation: The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Melanie and our team for a thorough evaluation of your teeth alignment. We’ll use this time to discuss how much your teeth have shifted and decide if you need a new retainer or additional treatment. If you’ve been treated by us before, we can access your previous records, or we can obtain them from your last orthodontist.
- Get a New Retainer: If we determine a new retainer is a good solution, we’ll need to take super detailed digital scans of your teeth to fabricate a custom retainer that suits your current alignment.
- Follow Instructions Carefully: Once you have your brand new retainer, be diligent about following your wear schedule closely. Consistency is absolutely critical to correcting your misalignment.
- Gradual Adjustment: For minor shifts, we might recommend starting with part-time wear and gradually moving to full-time use to achieve re-alignment.
- Maintain Oral Hygiene: Continue to maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing as you should. Ensure that you clean your retainer as instructed to fight off bacterial buildup.
- Monitor Your Progress: As you wear your new retainer, pay attention to how your teeth and bite feel. We’ll schedule regular follow-up appointments to ensure your progress stays on track.
- Be Patient: Realigning your teeth can take time, and that can feel inconvenient. But remember—there are always second chances for those willing to work hard. So stay committed to your process, and we’ll be here to provide you with the support you need.
On top of all of this, we want to remind you of our practice’s amazing retainer program—which you won’t find in many other offices. We offer a 5-Year Retainer Program for only $1,200, which provides two sets of retainers each year, totaling ten retainers over five years. This helps simplify the retention process for our patients. Feel free to ask us any further questions you may have about this option.
Try and Try Again
It’s entirely natural for patients to feel embarrassed or discouraged after a period of non-compliance, but don’t let these feelings prevent you from continuing with your care. This is the worst thing you can do! Orthodontic treatment is a journey, and we understand that life can sometimes interfere. Our goal is to support you every step of the way, and perfection is not expected!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe offices, so we can help you get your treatment back on track!