Needing braces a second time is more common than most people realize. If your teeth have shifted since you had braces as a kid, adult orthodontics after relapse can often get your smile and bite back on track.
You may notice that your teeth are out of place again. Your bite may feel off, or your jaw may feel tired or pop when you eat. You may have excessive tooth wear, or you may not be able to clean your teeth well. Any of these could mean you're ready for braces again as an adult.
Petrous Orthodontics has helped many patients with adult orthodontics after relapse. Why get braces again as an adult? For many of the same reasons you got them the first time: to improve your smile, to reduce your risk of tooth wear, tooth decay, and gum disease, and to improve your bite, which may ease bite-related jaw strain.
The good news is that adults have more options today than they did as children. You don't have to stick with metal braces. Clear braces or Invisalign clear aligners can offer a much more subtle look.
Teeth can shift after braces for several reasons. The most common is not wearing your retainers as directed. If you stopped wearing them years ago, your teeth may have drifted back toward their old positions.
Retainers aren't the only factor. Your teeth and jaws keep changing throughout your life. The bone and gum tissue that hold your teeth in place are always remodeling, the same process that allows braces to move teeth in the first place. Aging, losing a tooth, gum disease, and certain dental work can all change how your teeth fit together. Habits like teeth grinding or tongue thrusting can also push teeth out of position.
Shifting teeth can affect more than your smile. They may make it harder to bite and chew, and crowded teeth are harder to clean, which can raise your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If your bite changes enough, it may also strain your jaw muscles and joints.
Yes. Adults get braces a second time more often than you might think. According to ADA News, nearly one-third of orthodontic patients in 2023 were adults. There's no shame in wanting a straighter smile and healthier teeth!
Not every adult who needs braces gets them, though. Crowded, worn, or hard-to-clean teeth may be more likely to cause problems over time. Orthodontic treatment may help you keep your natural teeth longer. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and fit together better, which can reduce wear.
A second round of treatment usually isn't the same as your first. Your teeth may have drifted back toward where they started, but they're rarely as far out of place as they were before your first treatment, so retreatment is often shorter. You'll also have more options now.
Petrous Orthodontics offers adult orthodontics with metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign. Many adults prefer the lower profile of clear braces or Invisalign, but today's metal braces are smaller and often more efficient than the ones you probably wore as a kid!
We also offer braces elastics in different colors, so you can pick the same color every time or mix them up.
We also offer Smile Again Express, a program designed for adults with minor dental issues or teeth that have moved out of alignment over the years. Because it's offered through our orthodontic office, an orthodontist monitors your treatment, which isn't always the case with mail-order aligners or do-it-yourself braces.
Your jaw and teeth will keep changing as you age, so retainers matter just as much the second time around.
We'll give you retainers to wear after braces or Invisalign. Many of today's retainers look like clear aligners, so they're barely visible. You'll usually wear them most of the day at first, and we can often reduce that to nights only over time.
Most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers long term to keep your teeth from moving again. Retainers don't last forever, so you'll need to replace them every few years, or sooner if you lose or damage them. Our Long Term Retainer Program lets you pay a one-time fee so that replacement retainers cost only a small co-pay each. Ask us for details.
Does every braces patient eventually need retreatment?
Not necessarily. Some people have only slight shifting that causes few problems, and others wear their retainers every night, which keeps their teeth in place. We can examine your teeth and let you know whether you should consider retreatment.
Will retreatment take as long as my first time with braces?
Probably not. Although teeth may shift back toward their original positions, they're rarely as far out of place as before the first treatment, so retreatment often takes less time. Today's braces and clear aligners are also more efficient than older ones.
Can Invisalign fix relapse, or do I need braces again?
Invisalign can often correct relapse, and it has been refined over the years to handle more complex cases. It's a popular option for adults because it's barely visible. After your exam, we'll tell you whether Invisalign or braces will work better for your teeth.
How much does adult retreatment cost compared to the first time?
It depends on how much treatment you need. Your cost may be lower if your treatment is shorter or less complex than the first time. We'll give you a thorough exam and a cost estimate before treatment begins, and we can talk through financing options.
Braces and clear aligners won't turn you into a different person, but they can bring out the best version of your smile and your profile. Every patient's results look a little different, and we'll talk through what to expect for you at your first visit.
Ready to get started? Schedule your free consultation with Petrous Orthodontics today!
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