Can Aligners Fix Teeth That Have Shifted After Treatment?

Feel free to ask ASK Dr BAK AI about your dental questions. Click on the button “ASK Dr BAK AI”

Can Aligners Fix Teeth That Have Shifted After Orthodontic Treatment?

After completing orthodontic treatment, the last thing anyone wants is to see their teeth move out of place. Unfortunately, orthodontic relapse—when teeth shift after braces or aligners—is a common issue, especially if retainers aren’t worn consistently. Yes, aligners are an excellent solution for teeth that have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment. They can gently guide your teeth back into their ideal positions without the need for metal braces, helping restore your smile’s alignment and prevent future movement.

Why Do Teeth Shift After Orthodontics?

Teeth can move over time due to a variety of factors:

  • Inconsistent retainer wear

  • Natural aging and changes in jaw structure

  • Tooth loss or extractions, causing nearby teeth to drift

  • Grinding or clenching habits

  • Shifting of gum and bone support over time

Even small changes can affect bite function, alignment, and aesthetics—especially in the front teeth.

How Aligners Correct Relapse

Clear aligners like Invisalign use a series of custom-designed trays to apply precise, controlled pressure to your teeth. This gently moves them back into the desired alignment, one step at a time.

What the process looks like:

  1. A 3D digital scan to assess your current alignment

  2. A personalized treatment plan based on your relapse case

  3. A sequence of aligners, each worn for 1–2 weeks

  4. Daily wear of 20–22 hours for optimal results

  5. Final retainers to preserve the results

Aligners are especially effective for mild to moderate relapse cases and often require shorter treatment times than your original orthodontic care.

What to Expect

  • Treatment Duration: 3 to 9 months in most cases

  • Daily Wear Time: 20–22 hours per day

  • Comfort: Smooth, discreet, and removable trays

  • Monitoring: Regular check-ins or remote supervision

  • Retention: Nighttime retainers to maintain alignment long-term

Why Retainers Matter After Retreatment

Once your teeth are back in place, it’s essential to wear retainers every night. Without them, your teeth may shift again—leading to another round of treatment. Dr. Bak will guide you through a personalized post-treatment retention plan to protect your new smile.

Dr. Bak’s Experience in Treating Post-Ortho Shifting

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Bak Nguyen is a leading provider of aligner-based retreatment for patients experiencing orthodontic relapse. He uses advanced 3D imaging and digital planning to ensure precise, efficient, and long-lasting results.

Book a free virtual consultation to learn more about your case, its treatment time and cost with Dr Bak Nguyen (the real one).

Les aligneurs peuvent être utilisés pour traiter certains cas de sous-plomb, en particulier si le problème est lié à la position des dents plutôt qu'à l'os de la mâchoire. Dans ces cas, les aligneu
Yes, aligners can move teeth vertically, but this is generally more challenging than moving teeth horizontally. Vertical movements might be slower and may require additional tools such as attachments to ensure the teeth move as planned. The aligners
Oui, les aligneurs peuvent être efficaces pour traiter une occlusion croisée, en particulier lorsque le problème concerne le positionnement des dents plutôt que l'os de la mâchoire. Les aligneurs fonctionnent en appliq

What are aligners made of - Invisalign plastic material - Clear correct - Straumann - BPA-free aligners - Medical-grade plastic in clear aligners - Clear aligners comfort - Invisalign durability - Biocompatible orthodontic plastic - Orthodontist Montreal - Clear braces material -Aligner composition

orthodonticsAlphaTEAMComplexe Mdexinvisalign, clear, aligners, clear correct