You were probably quite proud and relieved to finally have your braces removed when you were a teenager. However, many people who had braces when they were younger find that their teeth have slipped out of their ideal alignment at some point in adulthood. Luckily, it is perfectly possible to have a second round of braces to help straighten things out! Read on to learn a little more about some of the reasons why you might end up needing braces a second time and how the treatment differs.
Why Would I Need Braces a Second Time?
Much like how your vision and hearing change over time, your mouth will also see some changes as the years go by, mainly your teeth shifting around. This can happen due to all kinds of reasons. In some cases, a patient doesn’t keep up with wearing their retainer as directed after braces, allowing their teeth to shift out of position. In other cases, oral injuries or dental problems can disrupt a smile’s alignment. If your wisdom teeth come when your mouth has insufficient space to accommodate them, they can disrupt the positions of your other teeth. Involuntary habits like tongue thrusting or teeth grinding can also cause your teeth to move.
A Second Round of Braces Is Completely Safe
Before beginning any treatment, your orthodontist will thoroughly examine your mouth to make sure you’re a good candidate for braces. This examination will include X-rays to make sure there aren’t any underlying concerns that can disrupt treatment. To make sure the process can go smoothly, any tooth decay or gum disease will need to be resolved before any orthodontic procedure can commence. If you are cleared for the procedure, you can rest assured that you can safely undergo a new round of braces.
Braces Keep Improving
TV sets today are so thin and light that you can mount them on your wall, but you might remember how they were bulky pieces of furniture when you were a kid. You’ll probably be happy to hear that braces have also improved similarly since your teen years. Clear braces work exactly like traditional braces, but they have transparent brackets that make them significantly more subtle. Invisalign is another excellent orthodontic solution that is virtually invisible and involves no dietary restrictions. With so many convenient and effective choices, you might find that your second round of braces is far smoother than the first time around.
The best way to keep your teeth in alignment after braces is to stick with wearing your retainer as your orthodontist recommends. However, sometimes your teeth move out of alignment for reasons out of your control. It’s not uncommon to need a second round of orthodontic treatment. If you’d like to get that hard-earned flashy, straight smile back, a consultation with your orthodontist can set you on the path to better alignment.
About the Author
Dr. Justyna Balicka earned her dental doctorate at the New York University College of Dentistry before undergoing three years of an orthodontic residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital. She proudly serves as a member of the American Dental Association and the American Board of Orthodontics. Her practice offers pediatric and adult orthodontics, traditional and clear braces, and Invisalign treatments. For more information on getting braces a second time, contact her office online or dial (631) 423-7857.