Added Alignment: 3 Reasons to Get Invisalign After Braces

Many people think of their teeth as immovable mounds in their mouths, but the truth is that they’re connected by tissues, muscles, and ligaments with a natural capacity for movement. That’s why orthodontic services can successfully straighten your smile.

However, this quality is the same reason that they might continue shifting, even after you’ve already had braces. If you’ve noticed that your teeth aren’t where they should be, you might question whether you can complete a second treatment, like Invisalign. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons you might need to reposition your grin years after having traditional braces!

Reason #1: Not Wearing Your Retainer

It can take anywhere from 18 to 24+ months for standard orthodontics to adjust your dental alignment. You probably were thrilled to get your braces removed, but might have been surprised to learn that a retainer was necessary to prevent them from reverting back to their previous places.

These oral appliances don’t exert enough pressure to move your pearly whites, but they do hold them in place long enough for your mouth to acclimate to their updated positions. If you didn’t wear yours as instructed, you’re more likely to experience relapse requiring another treatment, like Invisalign.

Reason #2: Arrival of Wisdom Teeth

Plenty of people get braces in their teenage years, before their jawbones harden completely. Although most of your pearly whites erupt by the time you turn 13, your wisdom teeth come later, usually between 17 and 26 years old.

Unfortunately, these late arrivals frequently cause problems in their attempt to push through your gumline. For instance, they can grow at an odd angle and become trapped in your jawbone or gums to develop a cyst or infection or push neighboring teeth out of place. If your braces came off before your last molars appeared, they might have caused additional shifting.

Reason #3: Teeth Grinding

Another reason that many older adults need to reposition their smiles is that they suffer from bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. People with this condition subconsciously clench their upper and lower arches together at night, and all the added force can push their pearly whites out of place.

Thankfully, Invisalign can help straighten your teeth and provide a layer of cushion between your arches to prevent your enamel from wearing down prematurely. This also eases your TMJ joints that connect your jaw to your skull to ease any tension or aches that might have developed, to keep it from becoming sore, stiff, or locked.

If you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, consulting your dentist is the best way to find out!

About the Practice

At On Point Dentistry, you and your family benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping you build and maintain your healthiest, most beautiful smiles. Dr. Caballeros and Dr. Parra collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location, including Invisalign. They take the time to establish lasting relationships with patients so they can quickly identify problems and tailor treatment plans to meet your unique needs. Then, they combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to help you feel comfortable while they deliver accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (469) 476-4092.