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Teeth are not anchored in bone as if they were stuck in concrete. They are part of a dynamic and complex masticatory system. Teeth are constantly under the influence of the many forces acting upon them so that there always exists a slight tooth mobility that is considered normal. With or without orthodontics, the stability of the teeth greatly depends on the influence of the muscular environment surrounding them (tongue, cheeks, lips, muscles of mastication, etc.).
In order to insure optimal stability and “retain” the corrections obtained at the end of orthodontic treatment, we use retention appliances or retainers which must which be worn as prescribed. Even if most of the corrections are usually stable, there may be some relapse of one or a few teeth. If the relapse is significant, additional retention measures or further corrections may be required.
Some tooth malpositions, especially the most severe ones, may have a greater tendency to reappear. Severe rotations and lower anterior crowding are such examples. Tooth position can change at any time during a patient’s life. That’s why it is indicated that most patients wear retainers for a year or more after their treatment to help stabilize tooth position and postpone the appearance of changes that may naturally occur. We always attempt to do the orthodntic corrections with the greatest care and suggest to closely monitor the results When, retention is discontinued, even after many years, it is always possible, even normal, to observe some degree of relapse. Proper cooperation during the retention period may reduce these risks to a minimum. If you notice significant changes in the position of your teeth after treatment, please communicate with us.
