Round Two of Orthodontics: Is Invisalign Possible After Braces?

Whether you wore traditional braces as a teenager or had these metal appliances moved less than one year ago, you may be wondering what kind of magic Invisalign can do for your smile. If you didn’t wear your retainer regularly, your teeth may have started shifting back to their original location. As a result, the problem you previously experienced might be rearing its ugly head again. Is it possible to undergo treatment with Invisalign after wearing regular braces? Keep reading to discover the truth.

What Causes Teeth to Shift After Wearing Braces?

As previously mentioned, one of the most common reasons for this problem is the lack of retainer wear. Immediately following treatment with braces, your dentist or orthodontist will transition you into the retention phase, which requires that you wear a retainer for an extended period.

Generally, retainers must be worn all the time at first; however, over time, you may only be required to wear them at night while you’re asleep.

If you followed these rules but have noticed a shift in your smile, it could also be because of erupting wisdom teeth or unhealthy lifestyle habits (i.e., bruxism).

Can Invisalign Be Worn After Wearing Braces?

It depends. In most cases, yes, especially if the case is minor or moderate overcrowding, gaps, or bite misalignment. However, more severe problems will likely require that you return to wearing metal braces if you want to enjoy life with straighter, healthier teeth.

With Invisalign, though, you will be expected to follow the guidelines of treatment to not only see a more beautiful smile but also avoid a delay in your treatment. This means that you will need to:

• Wear your trays 20-22 hours each day
• Swap out your trays for new ones every 1-2 weeks to keep your teeth moving in the right direction.
• Remember to remove your aligners before eating anything, drinking beverages (other than water), and giving them a good cleaning.
• Keep follow-up appointments with your dentist to make sure everything is progressing accordingly.
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing as well as cleaning aligners thoroughly.

If you’re ready to give orthodontic treatment another chance, don’t assume you’ll be required to wear metal braces. Instead, find out what kind of situation you’re experiencing with the help of a trusted dentist and discover if Invisalign clear aligners are enough to have you seeing a straighter smile.

About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey F. Hermen is a trusted dentist who has nearly 30 years of experience and has been serving families and individuals in Oklahoma City and its surrounding communities since 1991. Offering Invisalign clear aligners to help patients achieve a straighter set of teeth without the pains of bulky and unsightly metal, he and our team will make every effort to deliver one-of-a-kind results. If you are curious whether clear aligners will help you see the kind of smile you truly desire, even after wearing traditional braces, contact us at (405) 621-2100.