Conditions / Dental crowding & orthodontic relapse
Dental crowding & orthodontic relapse
When teeth crowd or shift after orthodontics, the cause often includes tongue and lip posture as much as anatomy. Therapy can reduce the risk of relapse.
What it is
Teeth want to be in equilibrium with the forces around them: tongue pressure on the inside, lip and cheek pressure on the outside. When the inside force is weak (low tongue posture, mouth breathing), teeth drift outward and crowd.
Orthodontic relapse is common after braces or aligners when the underlying muscle pattern isn't addressed.
Common signs
- ·Teeth that crowded before orthodontics
- ·Crowding returning after braces or aligners
- ·Mouth breathing or low tongue posture
- ·Difficulty retaining orthodontic results
How myofunctional therapy may help
Educational, not diagnostic. Outcomes vary; results are not guaranteed.
Establish tongue-up posture to provide consistent inward pressure.
Establish lip-seal and nasal breathing to balance the outward forces.
Coordinate with your orthodontist for retention planning.
What to expect
Pre-orthodontic: 2–3 months before treatment begins.
Post-orthodontic: 4–6 months concurrent with retention.