Straight teeth stay straight only while something holds them. Replacement retainers, broken bonded wires and teeth that have moved since treatment, including treatment done elsewhere or years ago.
Bring your current retainer, even if it no longer fits, and any records from your earlier treatment.
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back towards their old positions after orthodontic treatment, and they keep changing slowly throughout life. A retainer, either a thin wire bonded behind the teeth, a removable retainer or both, holds the result. At Creative Arts, our specialist orthodontists fit and replace retainers in Dubai, including for patients treated elsewhere, and assess teeth that have already moved.
Braces and aligners move teeth through bone. When active treatment ends, the gum fibres around each tooth, especially rotated ones, are still stretched and tend to pull it back. Bone and fibres take many months to reorganise, so the first year after treatment carries the greatest risk.
Movement does not stop there. Teeth shift slowly throughout adult life, with or without braces; lower front teeth commonly become more crowded with age. Other factors add to this:
This is why retention is long-term, not a few months after the braces come off.
Retention uses a bonded wire, a removable retainer, or both, chosen by how your teeth were moved and how likely they are to shift.
Fixed behind the front teeth
A thin, close-fitting plastic tray
Wire and acrylic plate
The common long-term advice is night-time wear for as long as you want straight teeth. Your orthodontist sets the exact schedule, which may be full-time at first.
Some patients start with longer daily wear, then move to nights. If you stop altogether, teeth can begin moving within weeks.
Rinse a removable retainer after taking it out and brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water. Hot water can warp clear plastic.
Most lost retainers were wrapped in a napkin at a meal. Keep it in its case, away from pets and heat, and take it out to eat.
Plaque and tartar build up behind the lower front teeth. Use floss threaders or interdental brushes, and keep regular hygiene visits.
A retainer that does not fit cannot hold your teeth, and a broken bonded wire may let a single tooth twist without you noticing at first.
Do not wait for your next routine visit. Contact the clinic during opening hours (10:00–20:00 daily) to arrange a repair. If you also have a removable retainer that still fits, wear it until the wire is repaired. If a loose wire is poking, orthodontic wax can cover the end in the meantime.
The right option depends on how far the teeth have moved, why they moved and what you want to achieve. A specialist assessment comes first.
| Situation | What usually helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth still in position, retainer lost or worn | A new retainer made from a fresh scan | Holds the current position; best done before movement starts |
| Very slight movement | A new retainer may be enough to stop further change | A retainer holds teeth; it cannot reliably reverse movement |
| Noticeable but limited relapse | A short course of clear aligners or braces, then new retainers | Often limited to the front teeth |
| Significant relapse or a bite change | Comprehensive re-treatment with fixed braces or aligners | Planned like a new case, with a new retention plan |
| Movement linked to gum disease or missing teeth | Gum treatment or replacing teeth, alongside orthodontics if needed | The cause is treated first |
Choosing an appliance for re-treatment? See our Invisalign vs braces guide. What retainers and re-treatment involve in fees is covered on the orthodontic cost page.
Whether you were treated here, elsewhere in Dubai or abroad, the visit follows the same order.
When and where you were treated, which retainer you had and how you wore it. Old photographs, models or notes help if you have them.
Before the examTeeth, bite, gums, jaw function and any bonded wire are checked, with radiographs where indicated.
First visitA digital scan records your teeth as they are now. It is the basis for a new retainer, or for planning further movement.
Same visitThe orthodontist explains whether a retainer alone is reasonable or whether re-treatment is needed, with alternatives and cost in writing.
Before you commitThe new retainer is fitted and checked, and review appointments are booked to confirm it still fits.
AfterRetainers and relapse cases are assessed by our two specialist orthodontists; Dr. Muhannad Kazzaz regularly reviews previous orthodontic treatment. See the orthodontics overview.
For as long as you want your teeth to stay straight. Teeth continue to move throughout life, so most orthodontists now advise long-term retention, commonly night-time wear of a removable retainer, a bonded wire, or both. The schedule may be more intensive in the first months. Follow the instructions your orthodontist gives for your case.
Do not force it in. It may be warped, or your teeth may have moved. Book a check: the orthodontist will scan your teeth and decide whether a new retainer is enough or whether the teeth first need moving back. Bring the old retainer, as it shows how much has changed.
Yes. Many patients come to us after treatment at another clinic or in another country. The teeth are examined and scanned first, because a new retainer holds teeth exactly where they are now. If they have already moved, you will be told before anything is made, so you can decide whether to correct them first.
Not necessarily. Very slight movement may only need a new retainer to prevent more. Limited relapse can often be treated with a short course of aligners or braces. Larger changes, or changes in the bite, may need fuller re-treatment. The specialist assessment shows which applies, and a written plan sets out the options.
Teeth may not move straight away, but over months and years they often drift, especially rotated and lower front teeth. How much cannot be predicted reliably. If you have stopped, try your retainer: if it still fits comfortably, resume wearing it and arrange a check.
Each has strengths. A bonded wire works continuously without relying on you, but needs careful cleaning and can come unstuck. A removable retainer is easy to clean but only works when worn. Many patients have both; the choice depends on how your teeth were moved and your gum health.
Not reliably. A retainer is designed to hold teeth, not move them, and forcing one that no longer fits can damage it. Teeth that have clearly moved are better assessed and, if needed, re-aligned before a new retainer is made.
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