Thank you for your question and sorry to hear that your teeth have shifted as a result of not wearing retainers. This is every orthodontists' bugbear, teeth just don't stay straight without retainers! Teeth lie in a zone of equilibrium between the tongue, the lips as well as the ligaments holding the teeth in the jaw. Any imbalance in the forces created by these 3 realms will cause the teeth to be misaligned.
The treatment options for this kind of relapse can be :
1. Retreatment with either conventional braces or clear aligners
2. Spring aligner retainers which are retainers with an active spring built into the retainers to help to straighten the teeth ( this is effective for mild tooth misalignment that can be corrected with simple tipping force )
3. Fabricate retainers to passively hold your current teeth position so that they do not worsen further
There are many clear aligner brands in the market which are able to manage mild relapse, do speak with your dentist about what are the options available. Some clinics will also be able to manufacture their own clear aligners and may be able to offer this treatment option at a reduced fee.
If you do decide to go for a retreatment, it may be good to consider a fixed retainer to help retain the correction.
Hope this help and all the best,
Dr Priscilla Lu
Orthodontist
