Do Teeth Move After Invisalign?

young man holds up his clear aligner and smiles showing off his straight teeth

After all the time and money you spent on straightening your teeth, it would be rash to think that it’s finally the end once the treatment plan is complete! Your teeth may look perfect after Invisalign, but they will gradually begin to move back to their originally desired place within the first few weeks. Before getting Invisalign treatment, some of your teeth would have leaned on another tooth. Now that your teeth are straight, they are not leaning on anything and will want to gravitate towards another tooth. Therefore, it’s imperative to be diligent with the aftercare and wear retainers as directed by your dentist in order to sustain your straight smile.

Shifting Teeth Over Time

When you smile, you may think that your smile yesterday is the same one today, but in reality, that is not likely the case! Our teeth and jawbone are reactive to stimulation and actually quick to adapt. In the case of shifting teeth, the jawbone, cementum, and periodontal ligament all react to the stimulation that occurs in the pressures between your upper and lower teeth. When you bite down while chewing, speaking, or swallowing, the compression and tensions are encouraging movement in your teeth. So, in fact, your everyday activity in the mouth is causing little shifts over time.

Importance of Wearing Your Retainer

To keep your teeth in place, retainers are key! After all the movement caused by Invisalign, your teeth are still unstable in the jawbone. During the treatment, your jawbone typically softens so that the teeth can move. The retainers will hold your newly positioned teeth in place while new bone is formed to stabilize your teeth. It can take up to nine to 12 months for your body to produce enough bone matter to firmly hold the teeth in place. Invisalign has their own retainers called Vivera Retainers, and they are often used after the treatment is complete.

If your teeth have shifted after Invisalign and you would like to learn more about possible next steps, we’d be happy to assist you. Schedule an appointment with us at your convenience for a consultation!

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Three Creek Dentistry