If you’ve been dealing with a misaligned smile for a long time, getting braces can completely change the way that you look and feel about yourself. However, if you’ve ever had braces in the past, you may have found that you need them again for one reason or another.
As it turns out, this isn’t a unique phenomenon. There are quite a few reasons why someone may need to get braces twice. Here are a few examples.
First Reason: Not Wearing Retainer
Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, that doesn’t mean that you’re free of any responsibility. Your teeth are still in a more mobile state, so you’ll have to wait for a while for them to stabilize in their new position.
That’s why wearing your retainer is so important. While you will be fine to walk around day-to-day, you should wear your aligner overnight to ensure that your teeth don’t move very far out of place.
If you don’t wear your retainer, you may find that you need to get braces again later on to keep your teeth straight.
Second Reason: Phase 1 & 2 Orthodontics
Most dentists will wait until children get all their permanent teeth to start braces, but if a child has incredibly severe misalignment, a dentist may choose to use braces to address that specific issue while the jaw is still at its most malleable, during childhood. This is known as phase 1 orthodontics.
Phase 1 orthodontics is typically designed to address one specific issue, which means that most people will need to follow it up with another set of braces once their permanent teeth start to come in. These are what most people would consider to be “normal” braces, but in this case, you might call them phase 2 orthodontics.
How to Avoid Needing Braces More than Once
While most people love the results that braces produce, lots of people aren’t thrilled about the braces themselves. If you need phase 1 orthodontics there isn’t much you can do about that, but if your dentist gives you a retainer, you should wear it as directed to avoid needing further orthodontic treatment.
Finally, you should be sure to see your dentist often. They’ll be able to check on the progress of your teeth and ensure that they are staying where you want them to be.
About the Author
Dr. Alex Johnson has been an orthodontist for well over 30 years, which makes him the perfect person to guide you and your family through a one-of-a-kind orthodontic journey. Dr. Johnson received his dental degree from Washington University, which is also where he obtained his Orthodontic Certificate. Since graduating he has received continuing education from the Pankey Institute, and he is a current member of the American Association of Orthodontics.
If you have any questions about braces, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (727) 786-7550.