You’ve lost your retainer for the fifth time in the last two years. It’s somewhere in your bedroom, or maybe it’s in the basement? It’s been about a month since you’ve last worn it, and you begin to worry about your teeth shifting back to their natural position. You finally find the retainer behind the trash can next to the sink in the bathroom, and after washing it off you pop it back in. The retainer barely fits and is very tight on your teeth. Your teeth have clearly shifted. Can a retainer move teeth back?
The answer to can a retainer move teeth back is a complex one. A retainer is meant to keep your teeth exactly in place after orthodontic work, braces, or aligners. Many people confuse retainers with aligners. As previously states, retainers “retain” your teeth, keeping them exactly where they are. Aligners “align” your teeth and will push and shift them into the perfect formation for you. If you are looking to have your teeth moved into the correct position, you need aligners or braces.
Retainers will not drastically change the position of your teeth. Can a retainer move teeth back? Yes, but just a small amount and it’s dangerous. If your teeth have shifted since losing your retainer and you find it again, you’ll find that it may be a tight fit which is a sign that your teeth have shifted. The retainer will slightly shift them back but if the teeth are moved too quickly or the wrong way the teeth can become damaged and you’ll have a lot more to worry about than your teeth shifting.
When you notice your retainer has become tight you will need to consult your dentist on the next step. It’s dangerous to wear a retainer that has become extremely tight as it can permanently damage your teeth and kill the nerves if they are moved too quickly. Your dentist will be able to provide a solution to you about shifting your teeth back safely.
To summarize the answer to can a retainer move teeth back, the answer is yes but very slightly and dangerous. It’s best to consult your dentist and figure out a solution on if you need aligners again. When needing another retainer, SportingSmiles is your best bet for finding quality, affordability, and offers various rush options.
