Orthodontic relapse is the gradual return of teeth to their original positions after braces or other corrective measures have been removed, often due to insufficient retention. This phenomenon is significant in the field of dentistry, emphasizing the importance of using retainers and ongoing care to maintain alignment.

Orthodontic relapse, which is a term that refers to your teeth shifting into their previous position following your treatment with braces, is more common than you might think. Typically, it is due to neglecting to wear your retainer. Other common culprits include teeth grinding, genetics, and tooth loss.

What Is Orthodontic Relapse? The teeth have a tendency to move back to their original position even after a dentist declares the orthodontic treatment complete. This shifting of teeth is known as orthodontic relapse. This happens when teeth return to their positions prior to treatment.

Orthodontic relapse refers to the gradual shifting of teeth after completing orthodontic treatment, which can ultimately jeopardize your new smile. The severity of the relapse can vary among patients, with some needing to invest in orthodontic treatment again.

An orthodontic relapse occurs when your teeth shift out of position after treatment. When this change occurs shortly after treatment, the reason is usually that you’ve not been wearing your retainer as recommended. Braces apply constant pressure to teeth which slowly forces them into a new position.