Remember being in high school and dealing with all the time and hassle associated with your orthodontic care? Remember finally finishing up and maybe not so much remembering to wear your retainer?
You’re not alone! The American Dental Association shows that roughly 1 in 4 patients is like you. And sadly, this often leads to issues associated with teeth and jaws reverting to old positions. This can lower self-confidence and even lead to long-term problems with tooth and jaw health.
But never fear! At Gleason Orthodontics, we can assure you that not only have braces come a long way from what you might remember, but chances are Dr. Gleason and the gang could help you to avoid the brackets entirely while still getting back that winning grin of yours!
How? Read on, and we’ll take you through some of the facts and myths associated with retreatment options for adults.
Who needs retreatment?
Orthodontic retreatment is necessary for patients facing what is known as orthodontic relapse.
This isn’t as harrowing as it may sound. Really, this just means that your teeth have shifted after your initial orthodontic treatment, most often back toward their original positions. And look, you’re not alone! Studies find that orthodontic relapse is quite common, occurring in roughly 50% of all cases.
Why am I facing orthodontic relapse?
Most commonly, relapse occurs in cases where retainers were used either infrequently or not at all. The truth is that while getting your braces off or finishing your course of treatment with Invisalign is a major step, following up with a proper course of retainer care is just as essential for long-term orthodontic success.
Once your braces are off, the teeth, jaw, and surrounding gum tissue still need time to settle in their new positions, which is where proper use of a well-fitting retainer is essential.
Will I need braces?
Not necessarily. Orthodontic relapse comes in two flavors – short-term and long-term.
Short-term Relapse
If you’ve finished your treatment in the past year and begun to see backward progress, you’re dealing with a short-term relapse, Dr. Gleason may be able to issue a new retainer to best suit the altered landscape of your teeth and jaws.
If you’ve been out of treatment for more than a year, a long-term relapse may require a new course of primary care. But don’t worry! Today’s braces are easier to deal with and more comfortable than ever before. Advanced technology has done away with much of the clunky system of ties and heavy-weight metal that you may remember and dread!
If you’re concerned about the look of your new braces, we also offer ceramic or clear braces. These are even less noticeable!
Also, depending on the complexity of your case, Dr. Gleason may determine that you qualify for treatment with clear aligners. We print them in-house, so you can start your retreatment faster than ever and be back on track for the best possible smile of your lifetime!
Why Choose Retreatment?
It can be frustrating to look in the mirror and feel like all that work you did earlier in life (or last year) was for nothing. But don’t worry! After all, your teeth and jaw ‘know’ where to go now; it’s simply a matter of reminding them to get back in line! Even in the case of a long-term relapse, it is likely that your retreatment plan will advance much more quickly than your initial course of care.
Not only do you want to see your best smile, but your treatment may have served to stave off alignment issues in the jaw, which could have led to discomfort or grinding uncorrected.
Let’s Get You Smiling!
Everyone here at Gleason Orthodontic believes you deserve to have your smile’s best self. Not only that, but you should never have to deal with issues like bruxism or TMJ.
Come find out why patients in the Webster and greater Rochester area call Dr. Gleason’s practice uniquely inviting. He’s a member of the community first and a multi-board certified provider of top-shelf orthodontic care second, and that’s what we strive to project with our practice – Family.
So don’t wait. Retreatment can be a breeze! Schedule your free consultation now!
