Can I Get Invisalign® if I Had Braces as a Teen?

You wore braces in high school, followed the rules, and maybe even suffered through rubber bands and retainers. But now your teeth have shifted again, and it feels like all that effort went to waste. Don’t worry—this happens more often than you think. If you're wondering whether Invisalign® can help correct the relapse, the answer is almost always yes.

Invisalign treatment is a great option for adults who had braces as teens but now face crowding, spacing, or bite issues again. It’s discreet, comfortable, and doesn’t involve the metal and wires you probably remember.  

Why Do Teeth Shift After Braces?

Even if you wore your braces and retainer as instructed, your teeth aren’t guaranteed to stay in perfect position forever. Several factors can cause post-braces shifting.

1. Orthodontic Relapse Happens

The most common reason for relapse is inconsistent retainer wear. After braces, your orthodontist probably gave you a retainer and told you to wear it nightly. Over time, many patients stop. Some lose it. Some outgrow it or simply forget. Without the retainer holding your teeth in place, your bite slowly starts to drift. Even small movements can lead to visible crowding or misalignment.

This isn’t a sign of failure. It’s just how our bodies work. Teeth are always under pressure from chewing, speaking, and natural forces inside your mouth.

2. Natural Aging and Bone Changes

Your body keeps changing long after your teen years. Our jawbones may shrink or shift slightly as we age, especially in the lower front area. This subtle transformation can push your teeth inward, creating crowding even if everything was aligned perfectly after braces. It’s a natural part of getting older, and one that Invisalign can help address.

3. Life Events That Contribute to Shifting

In addition to age, other factors like stress, grinding your teeth (bruxism), pregnancy, or tooth loss can also impact alignment. Even wisdom teeth (if removed late or not at all) can crowd your teeth and push them out of place.

The result? You look in the mirror one day and notice your smile isn’t quite what it used to be.

How Invisalign Treatment Can Help

Invisalign is not just for first-time orthodontic patients. Many adults seek Invisalign specifically for retreatment after braces. The system is designed to correct mild to moderate alignment issues, including those caused by relapse.

1. Ideal for Relapse and Retreatment Cases

If your teeth have only shifted slightly since your teen braces, you’re probably a great candidate for Invisalign. These minor corrections typically require fewer aligners and a shorter treatment time. Some cases can even be resolved in 6 to 9 months using Invisalign Express, a faster and more affordable option for small adjustments.

Even in moderate relapse situations involving crowding, gaps, or bite alignment, Invisalign provides an effective, non-invasive solution without resorting to metal brackets again.

2. Aesthetic and Functional Benefits

You likely remember the look and feel of metal braces. Conversely, Invisalign uses clear, BPA-free plastic aligners that are almost invisible when worn. That means you can go to work, dinner, or even a wedding without anyone noticing you're straightening your teeth.

Aligners are removable, so eating, brushing, and flossing stay the same. There are no food restrictions, no special flossers, and no wires to irritate your cheeks.

3. Customized and Tech-Driven

Your dentist or orthodontist uses advanced 3D imaging to scan your mouth and design a custom aligner set that shifts your teeth step-by-step. Each aligner is worn for about one to two weeks, gradually bringing your teeth into the ideal position.

With technology like digital scans and remote monitoring, staying on track is easier than ever. Some practices use apps and virtual check-ins to minimize trips to the office while ensuring progress stays on course.

What to Expect When Retreatment Starts

Now that you know Invisalign works for relapse, here's what the process looks like from consultation to completion.

Step 1: Consultation and Assessment

The first step is meeting with your dental provider. They’ll evaluate your teeth and bite using a physical exam and digital scans. You’ll discuss your goals, past orthodontic history, and current concerns. If the relapse is minor, they might recommend an expedited plan.

This is also when you’ll talk about cost, insurance coverage, and financing. Invisalign retreatment typically costs less than full orthodontic treatment because the corrections are smaller.

Step 2: Aligner Fitting and Delivery

Once your custom plan is ready, you’ll receive your aligners. Each set is designed to make slight movements, so switching to the next tray in the series every one to two weeks is important. You’ll need to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. Only remove them to eat, drink (except water), brush, and floss.

If attachments are needed (small, tooth-colored bumps placed on certain teeth), they’ll be applied early in treatment to give the aligners extra grip.

Step 3: Check-Ins and Progress Monitoring

Depending on your provider’s approach, you’ll have in-office checkups or digital progress reviews. These appointments are usually quick and ensure everything is moving as planned.

Some people experience mild discomfort when switching to a new tray. That’s normal—it means your teeth are shifting. Over-the-counter pain relief or wearing the new tray before bed can ease the transition.

Step 4: Completion and Retainers

Once your final results are achieved, you’ll receive a set of retainers. These are critical. Your teeth are in a new position, and without a retainer, they may drift again. Your provider will guide you on how often to wear them, initially every night, then possibly less frequently over time.

Clear retainers are comfortable and easy to wear and help protect the investment you’ve made in your smile.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Fix That Smile

If you’ve been putting off fixing your teeth because you already “did that” in your teens, now’s the time to reconsider. Orthodontic relapse affects more adults than you might think, and it doesn’t mean you failed. It means your smile, like the rest of you, has evolved.

Invisalign treatment lets you reclaim that confident smile with less hassle, less discomfort, and more freedom than ever before. Whether you have an upcoming event or just want to feel more confident day-to-day, Invisalign can help you look and feel your best.

No metal. No stigma. Just a clear path back to alignment.

Reclaim Your Smile with Invisalign Treatment!

You’ve done the hard work before. Now it’s about restoring and protecting your results. If your teeth have shifted after braces, Invisalign is a smart, subtle way to get back on track.

Middleburg Smiles specializes in adult Invisalign treatment and personalized orthodontic solutions. Our team will evaluate your needs and create a custom plan for long-term success.  

Book your consultation today and find out how easy it can be to love your smile again—with no wires, no metal, and no judgment.

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Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.