One of the most common cases we treat is relapse — teeth that have shifted back after braces or Invisalign because a retainer wasn't worn as prescribed. Here's why it happens.
Teeth are held in position by the surrounding bone and ligament, which take time to fully stabilise after orthodontic movement. Without a retainer worn as prescribed, teeth can gradually drift back toward their original position — a process called relapse.
Why Relapse Happens
Fixing Relapse Is Usually Faster Than You Expect
Most relapse cases are mild-to-moderate and can be corrected with a short Invisalign Lite course, typically 3–6 months — much faster than your original treatment, since you're not starting from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after braces or Invisalign can relapse happen?+
It can happen anywhere from a few months to several years after treatment, depending on how consistently a retainer was worn and individual factors like wisdom tooth eruption.
Is it my fault my teeth shifted back?+
Not necessarily — retainer wear compliance varies for many understandable reasons (discomfort, losing a retainer, life changes), and it's an extremely common reason adults return for a second round of treatment. There's no judgement involved in seeking a fix.
Will I need a full treatment again to fix relapse?+
Usually not — most relapse cases are treated faster and at lower cost than the original treatment, using Invisalign Lite over 3–6 months.
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