{"id":29656,"date":"2021-07-07T23:35:30","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T19:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/?p=29656"},"modified":"2026-06-17T10:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T07:28:14","slug":"orthodontic-treatment-relapse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/orthodontic-treatment-relapse\/","title":{"rendered":"Orthodontic treatment relapse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orthodontic treatments aim to correct dental and jaw malocclusions. Nevertheless, there are cases where the teeth may revert to their original position after the treatment. The term &#8220;orthodontic relapse&#8221; refers to this phenomenon. Orthodontic relapse denotes the shifting of teeth back to their initial position. This happens when teeth move and become misaligned for several reasons, including natural pressure from the surrounding tissues, bad habits, or inconsistent use of retainers. Orthodontic treatments are designed to correct dental and jaw malocclusions; however, neglecting aftercare may lead to orthodontic relapse. This article from Dr. Jamilian&#8217;s website explores the reasons behind orthodontic relapse and offers treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n  \n  <nav class=\"oxyplug-toc\">\n    <div class=\"toggle-toc\">\n  <span>Table of Contents<\/span>\n  <a href=\"#\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-label=\"Show\">\n    <span>Hide<\/span>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n    <ul>\n              <li class=\"toc-h2\">\n          <a href=\"#causes-of-orthodontic-relapse\">\n            Causes of orthodontic relapse?          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#1-disregard-for-the-orthodontists-advice\">\n            1- Disregard for the orthodontist&#039;s advice          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#2-disregard-for-healthy-eating-habits-and-nutrition\">\n            2- Disregard for healthy eating habits and nutrition          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#3-teeth-grindingbruxism\">\n            3- Teeth grinding\/Bruxism          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#4-tooth-decay-or-tooth-extraction-after-orthodontic-treatments\">\n            4- Tooth decay or tooth extraction after orthodontic treatments          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#5-jaw-growth-in-young-people\">\n            5-Jaw growth in young people          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h2\">\n          <a href=\"#tips-to-prevent-orthodontic-relapse\">\n            Tips to prevent orthodontic relapse          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#1-wearing-a-retainer-regularly\">\n            1- Wearing a retainer regularly          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#2-visiting-the-orthodontist-regularly-after-treatment\">\n            2- Visiting the orthodontist regularly after treatment          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#3-quitting-bad-habits\">\n            3- Quitting bad habits          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h3\">\n          <a href=\"#4-maintaining-good-oral-hygiene\">\n            4- Maintaining good oral hygiene          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"toc-h2\">\n          <a href=\"#faq-about-orthodontic-relapse\">\n            FAQ about orthodontic relapse          <\/a>\n        <\/li>\n          <\/ul>\n  <\/nav>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"causes-of-orthodontic-relapse\">Causes of orthodontic relapse?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orthodontic relapse is an undeniable issue that may occur following the conclusion of <a href=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/what-is-orthodontics\/\">orthodontic<\/a> treatments. Numerous reasons can lead to orthodontic relapse, and identifying them is an effective approach to preventing this problem. The most common causes of orthodontic relapse are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-disregard-for-the-orthodontists-advice\">1- Disregard for the orthodontist&#8217;s advice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important cause of orthodontic relapse is disregard for the<a href=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/orthodontist\/\"> orthodontist<\/a>&#8216;s recommendations during the treatment course. Orthodontists typically give you detailed instructions on how to maintain the treatment outcomes, such as wearing retainers regularly, practicing good oral hygiene, and scheduling routine examinations. If you fail to wear retainers regularly, the teeth may return to their previous position, as oral tissues and muscles tend to push the teeth back to their original position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-disregard-for-healthy-eating-habits-and-nutrition\">2- Disregard for healthy eating habits and nutrition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the causes of orthodontic relapse is poor diet. Overindulging in hard, sticky foods like chocolates, candies, or nuts can put pressure on teeth, causing damage or displacement. For instance, calcium and vitamin D play a crucial role in maintaining strong teeth and preventing orthodontic relapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium.jpg\" alt=\"fish cheese eggs good source of vitamin d and calcium\" class=\"wp-image-47001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium-660x371.jpg 660w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium-990x556.jpg 990w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium-726x408.jpg 726w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fish-cheese-eggs-a-good-source-of-vitamin-d-and-calcium-330x185.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D maintain the strength of teeth and prevent orthodontic relapse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-teeth-grindingbruxism\">3- Teeth grinding\/Bruxism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bruxism or teeth grinding is another factor that may cause orthodontic relapse. If you experience bruxism during sleep, it is advisable to address it, as it can significantly harm the alignment of your teeth. The force from bruxism leads the upper teeth to exert pressure on the lower teeth, pushing them outward and prompting a return to their original position. In addition to <a href=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/bruxism-treatment\/\">bruxism<\/a>, thumb sucking may also lead to orthodontic relapse; thus, it should be seriously considered and treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-tooth-decay-or-tooth-extraction-after-orthodontic-treatments\">4- Tooth decay or tooth extraction after orthodontic treatments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the main causes of orthodontic relapse is tooth decay or extraction following orthodontic treatments. Cavities can compromise the integrity of your teeth, leading to tooth movement as a result of weakened structure or necessary dental restorations. Furthermore, if tooth extraction is performed without consultation with the orthodontist, it can disrupt the balance among the teeth and negatively affect their alignment. It is recommended that you take care of your teeth and see a dentist for the treatment of superficially decayed teeth in order to prevent orthodontic relapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-jaw-growth-in-young-people\">5-Jaw growth in young people<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The growth and alteration in the jaw&#8217;s shape can occasionally result in misalignment of the teeth, which may consequently lead to orthodontic relapse. Certainly, visiting an orthodontist significantly reduces the risk of this complication. An orthodontist should keep an eye on the patient&#8217;s treatment during adolescence, when the jaw bone is still growing, and help avoid this issue by directing the jaw growth process. When orthodontic treatments are performed before puberty, the orthodontist will use appropriate techniques to guide the teeth into the proper position to control jaw growth and maintain tooth alignment. In fact, jaw growth can be manipulated by applying external pressure and tension to the jawbone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tips-to-prevent-orthodontic-relapse\">Tips to prevent orthodontic relapse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After analyzing the reasons behind orthodontic relapse, we find it necessary to offer suitable strategies to avoid this issue. The strategies and advice outlined below will help you ensure that environmental factors do not negatively impact your dental health, thereby preventing dental crowding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-wearing-a-retainer-regularly\">1- Wearing a retainer regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is crucial to use a fixed or removable <a href=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/what-is-a-retainer\/\">retainer<\/a> after the treatment course, as prescribed by the orthodontist. These devices maintain the teeth in their new position and prevent them from reverting to their original position. The most common retainers used for this purpose are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clear or removable dental retainers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fixed or permanent retainers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side.jpg\" alt=\"\nfixed retainer on the right side and removable retainer on the left side\" class=\"wp-image-47029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side-660x371.jpg 660w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side-990x556.jpg 990w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side-726x408.jpg 726w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fixed-retainer-on-the-right-side-and-removable-retainer-on-the-left-side-330x185.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Zur Vorbeugung gegen kieferorthop\u00e4dischen R\u00fcckf\u00e4llen ist der Einsatz von festsitzenden oder herausnehmbaren Retainer notwendig.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-visiting-the-orthodontist-regularly-after-treatment\">2- Visiting the orthodontist regularly after treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular dental visits and routine check-ups after orthodontic treatments will help diagnose early issues and prevent teeth from shifting. We recommend scheduling an appointment every 3-6 months post-treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-quitting-bad-habits\">3- Quitting bad habits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An effective way to prevent orthodontic relapse is to quit habits such as bruxism, nail biting, and thumb sucking. If you have these habits, it is better to consult a dentist or use special guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail.jpg\" alt=\"woman biting her finger nail\" class=\"wp-image-47013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail-660x371.jpg 660w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail-990x556.jpg 990w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail-726x408.jpg 726w, https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/woman-biting-her-finger-nail-330x185.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nail biting is one of the causes of orthodontic relapse.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-maintaining-good-oral-hygiene\">4- Maintaining good oral hygiene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A final yet important strategy to prevent orthodontic relapse is to maintain proper oral hygiene. In addition to brushing, flossing and mouthwash are also important for maintaining straight teeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It goes without saying that the risk of orthodontic relapse is significantly reduced when orthodontic treatments are performed by an experienced orthodontist. We recommend Dr. Jamilian because he provides the best orthodontic treatments with the lowest risk of relapse thanks to his expertise, experience, and unique techniques. You will surely benefit from reading Dr. Jamilian&#8217;s clients&#8217; feedback after orthodontic treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wy-faq\" id=\"faq-about-orthodontic-relapse\">FAQ about orthodontic relapse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731332329785\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What should we do in case of orthodontic relapse?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You should visit your orthodontist right away if you notice a relapse. Your orthodontist shall use proper techniques, such as corrective treatments or prescription of a retainer, to restore the teeth to their pre-relapse position.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731332384187\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the main causes of orthodontic relapse?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Irregular use of retainers, tooth decay, poor oral hygiene, or imbalanced jaw growth are the main factors that may cause orthodontic relapse.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731332572131\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How long is the risk of orthodontic relapse?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Orthodontic relapse is most likely to occur within the initial six months after brace removal; however, it may occur even several years after the treatment. At any rate, regular check-ups with your orthodontist every 6 months will ensure you won&#8217;t have an orthodontic relapse.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n<p><video poster=\"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/orthodontics-relapse.jpg\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><source src=\"https:\/\/video.jamilian.net\/webm\/orthodontics-relapse.webm\" type=\"video\/webm\" type=\"video\/webm\" \/><source src=\"https:\/\/video.jamilian.net\/mp4\/orthodontics-relapse.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/>This browser does not support the video element<\/video><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orthodontic treatments aim to correct dental and jaw malocclusions. Nevertheless, there are cases where the teeth may revert to their original position after the treatment. The term &#8220;orthodontic relapse&#8221; refers to this phenomenon. Orthodontic relapse denotes the shifting of teeth back to their initial position. This happens when teeth move and become misaligned for several [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":47021,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-orthodontic-information"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamilian.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}