Let me take you back to a day that you may remember fondly. A day, when at that moment, you had waited years to get to, finally. The day that I am referring to is the day that you got your braces off. Do you remember what you said when you got your braces off? Most comments that I usually hear range from “My teeth feel smooth again!” to my personal favorite, “Thank you!”. I’m sure after that appointment, most patients wanted to go eat some of things that they weren’t supposed to eat while they were in treatment (popcorn, laffy taffy, etc.).
After treatment ends, the real challenge begins. Keeping your teeth straight is just as important as getting them straight. For most everyone, teeth will continue to move over the course of our lifetime, no matter if you are 18 years old or 80. Retainer wear, which can usually be decreased in frequency over time, should never cease. If you do forget your retainer and your teeth start to shift, what are the options to get your smile back? Luckily, over the past couple of years, there have been numerous advancements in the materials and methods that we, as orthodontists, use to help create your ideal smile. You don’t have to do it the same old way! Whether it is for an upcoming wedding, reunion or career advancement, its never too late to get your smile back.
Some of these options include just replacing your old retainer, using a new type of retainer for very minor corrective movements, a limited number of clear aligners, or a quick treatment with clear braces. By using these discrete ways, we can re-align your teeth without having to worry about the “metal-mouth” appearance that you had when you were younger.
Which option works best and how long will treatment last? That really depends on your individual goals, your time frame, and the amount of treatment that needs to be corrected. Most re-alignment treatments can last less than 6 months. No matter what you are looking for, we can help provide you with some options and the benefits of each option. Give us a call at 636-332-5550 or submit an online request for a FREE initial consultation.