Miriam Furlong

A retainer is usually used to hold the teeth in place. Orthodontists use retainers of different types to maintain correction after treatment.

Sometimes retainers can be used for treatment, in certain cases where only limited correction is needed.

You can inherit traits like a small jaw, big teeth, or missing teeth from your parents that can lead to bad alignment of the teeth or bite.

You can also have things occur like tooth decay or baby teeth that are knocked out early that can cause your teeth or bite to be crooked. Certain habits like

To put it simply, braces and retainers are 2 kinds of orthodontic appliances that place pressure on the teeth to either move them or hold them in place. If there is space and you push on a tooth, it's going to move.

Orthodontists go through many years of training to learn about moving teeth and

Recommendations on how frequently you should see your orthodontist depend on the treatment. Sometimes it's important to monitor changes in the development of the teeth, bite, and face before starting active treatment and those visits may be from every 3-12 months apart. Some situations such as impacted

Crooked teeth are correctable at any age, so you're in luck.

The first step is to find a reputable orthodontist in your community. Ask your primary dentist, friends, and neighbors if they would recommend someone.

Then, contact the office about scheduling an initial consultation. They should be able

Orthodontic treatment may involve using fixed (attached to the teeth or mouth) or removable devices/appliances. Your orthodontist adjusts them on a regular basis until treatment is complete. An example of a fixed appliance is braces, and they can be made of a number of different materials including