Common "Orthodontic Relapse" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Orthodontic Relapse

Orthodontic relapse is when the tooth shifts to an unfavorable position after completing orthodontic alignment. It can be due to growth or genetic factor. But when the regression is higher, then retreatment may be required. Following strict retention protocols can reduce the risk of orthodontic relapse.

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Loose teeth after braces, cannot use Invisalign. Need help.

Query: Hello doctor, I had braces before, and the doctor gave me an Invisalign to wear at night when he took off my braces. However, while taking off the braces from my lower front teeth, my three lower front teeth were loose, and since then, I have had a problem eating food or wearing an Invisalign, as it...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should have worn your clear retainers (they are not Invisalign) for around two years at least so that the teeth can get strong at the correct position. Then, in your current condition, you can go for Invisalign therapy to correct those minor rotations of the fron...  Read Full »

I have started to get space between teeth after orthodontic treatment. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I had braces on my teeth when I was 15 years old. Now I am 24 and I can see a lot of gaps developing between my teeth. Should I put on braces again or is there any alternative option that I should choose?  Read Full »


Dr. Tooba Qazi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You must not go for conventional orthodontic braces treatment for such gaps, instead, you should go for clear or invisible aligners orthodontic treatment for it. In it you do not have to get bracketing done but only an invisible tray will be given to wear that will clos...  Read Full »

The gaps between my teeth reappeared as I discontinued wearing retainers. Can you please help?

Query: Hello doctor, I have had braces for three years, and the gaps appeared again when I discontinued the retainer. So, I underwent tooth-bonding, but within a year, it chipped. Do I have to wear braces for the second time?  Read Full »


Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern, and I will answer all your doubts. But, first, I want to clarify if only the composite has chipped off or if you have to wear braces again because you discontinued the retainer treatment the first time. To bridge the gap between your teeth...  Read Full »

My front teeth was bent inward during ortho treatment is moving back now. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I had two upper premolars removed during my ortho treatment and the front two teeth bent inward. The new doctor corrected it, but now the same thing is happening again. Why?  Read Full »


Dr. Varun Pratap Singh

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Removing upper premolars is a part of orthodontic treatment if space requirements make it mandatory. This is done to take back your forwardly placed front teeth. The doctor should maintain the inclinations of the front teeth while taking them back. Failure of which l...  Read Full »

How can I fix my open bite that occurred due to orthodontic relapse?

Query: Hi doctor,I have misaligned teeth due to not wearing a retainer after I had worn braces 16 years ago. I am now 31 years old. I was firmly rejected for braces recently by the orthodontist because of some root canals treatments and extractions (last upper molar missing would be a huge risk) that are d...  Read Full »


Dr. Mayank Khandelwal

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Indeed the condition of your dentition is not good (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). There are missing molars, and the overbite has increased because of missing molars allowing front teeth to erupt more and causing deep bit...  Read Full »

My teeth got shifted after some years of ortho treatment. Why?

Query: Hello doctor,I got my braces treatment done before 12 years, as my teeth in the upper jaw were outwards than lower ones. Doctor put braces on my upper jaw as the problem was in the upper jaw teeth. But after two to three years teeth starting shifting and now I have developed spaces between teeth ran...  Read Full »


Dr. Ummah Mohammad

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The reason for relapse are many, 1. Dietary habits, eating hard food, putting much pressure on teeth. 2. Not using retainers up to the suggested time. 3. Internal factors such as lower teeth or jaw alignment which might be interfering with upper jaw alignment. 4....  Read Full »

I have space between my teeth despite using a retainer. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I want to know whether it is the starting of gap formation between my teeth? It started two months back. I already had an orthodontic treatment two years ago and have permanent retainers. My retainers are not broken, they are perfectly placed, but still, there is a gap formation. Pleas...  Read Full »


Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Upon review, it is difficult to find any spacing in the pictures you shared (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). I have these suggestions for you- 1. Ideally, teeth contact near contact points. I see the ...  Read Full »

What if I do not wear retainers post orthodontic treatment?

Query: Hello doctor, Four years ago, I got my teeth straight from a dental clinic using some braces. At the end of the treatment, they asked me to wear some teeth clips so that there would not be any gap formation. But as I have not followed it well there are some gaps in my teeth. So I want to know if th...  Read Full »


Dr. Ummah Mohammad

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should have followed your dentist's advice and used retainers a little longer to avoid the relapse you are going through now. For now, I suggest you make an appointment with the same dentist if possible and ask if the relapse can be managed with the help of remov...  Read Full »

Is it okay not to wear retainers for a few weeks?

Query: Hi doctor, I just left for a two-and-a-half-week vacation and realized I forgot my retainer at my home. Will my teeth shift drastically in that time, and is it fine to wear my retainer when I get back? I have had my braces off for almost five years and usually wear my retainer every night. Kindly he...  Read Full »


Dr. Mayank Khandelwal

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. After that, we generally taper down the retainer, and the patient can stop using it after one and a half years to one year and nine months. However, this does not apply to all cases. For example, certain cases require longer retainers; some mi...  Read Full »

Can one wear braces after undergoing Invisalign treatment?

Query: Hello doctor, My daughter underwent orthodontic treatment with dental braces for the past year. Then during half of the treatment doctor removed the dental braces and gave Invisalign, then continued with another retainer. Then finally, the orthodontist said that she need to go for upper braces again...  Read Full »


Dr. Priyanga. K

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. The braces may be removed during her active phase. But even the retainers can handle it. You must have skipped your retainers or Invisalign at times so that the teeth under retention have many possible chances to rotate or move. Please visi...  Read Full »

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