Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm! These awesome aligners can completely transform a crooked smile into a beautifully straight set of pearly whites—and much more quickly and discreetly than traditional braces! However, teeth can be stubborn, and sometimes they shift back to their original, crooked positions many years after finishing orthodontic treatment. That said, you might be wondering if you can use Invisalign to address this, even if you’ve already worn traditional braces in the past. In most cases, the answer is yes! Keep reading to learn more.

Why Choose Invisalign Over Braces?

Even though they’re notorious for being uncomfortable and awkward, traditional braces aren’t all that bad, and some people actually don’t mind wearing them! After all, the metal brackets and wires are quite effective when it comes to correcting misaligned teeth. That said, Invisalign provides the following advantages that traditional orthodontics just can’t offer:

• No dietary restrictions – As long as you remove your trays whenever it’s time to eat, you can virtually consume whatever you want during Invisalign treatment—with traditional braces, this is not the case.
• Incredibly convenient and comfortable – Since the trays are removable, comfortable to wear, and almost completely invisible, the overall experience is much more convenient and pleasant compared to traditional braces.
• Easy to clean and maintain – Your daily oral hygiene routine won’t change much, as long as you’re good about removing and cleaning your trays as needed. It’s also important to visit your dentist for checkups, but these aren’t as frequent or busy as orthodontic visits.

What To Expect When Getting Invisalign After Braces

It’s important to note that traditional braces are often more effective at correcting severe orthodontic issues. So, if your mouth needs a lot of work, you might be looking at another round of traditional braces. However, for mild to moderate issues like crooked teeth or minor gaps, Invisalign is usually a good option.

Your dentist will evaluate the current state of your teeth, rather than focusing on what you’ve undergone in the past—though that is still relevant. From there, they will come up with your treatment plan and timeline. Invisalign is much faster than traditional braces, and as long as you wear your trays for the required 22 hours every day and swap to new sets on time, your treatment will seemingly fly by! Not to mention, you’ll deal with much less overall discomfort during the process.

If you’re curious about receiving Invisalign to correct stubborn teeth that have slowly shifted again over time, talk with your dentist to see if it’s a viable option. Even if you’ve already had braces, the clear aligners can still greatly benefit you and your smile!

About the Author

An Ann Arbor native himself, Dr. James Olsen is pleased to serve patients and families in his hometown! Dr. Olsen completed his dental doctorate at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and has taken countless hours of continuing education in a wide variety of fields. His practice is proud to offer many available services, including Invisalign. If you have any questions about Invisalign or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to reach out online or over the phone: (734) 996-0200.