Why do teeth get crooked after the braces are removed?
A 18A. The problem of “relapse” of recently straightened teeth is not uncommon. In spite of the careful attention given to informing the patients how important retainers are to prevent the teeth from returning to their crooked position, relapse occurs disconcertingly to the patient and the orthodontist too frequently. This occurs because teeth need time to “permanently set” or grow into their new positions like poured cement setting around a newly placed parking meter. The teeth are held in place by millions of elastic-like threads in the bone socket holding the tooth (ligaments). When teeth are orthodontically turned toward a new “corrected” position the ligaments twist with them. The body in time rebuilds new tooth-socket bone and “straight” ligaments around the teeth — that takes time (24-36 months). I provide my patients with retainers the day after their braces are removed with the following bit of dogma – “Keep them in your face or in the case” I’m giving you and never wrap them
