Relapse
Sometimes a patient may experience the movement of teeth to positions as prior to treatment. Settling or shifting teeth following treatment as well as after retention will most likely occur in varying degrees and spaces can occur between front teeth where none existed before treatment. Sometimes we might advise the wearing of a retaining appliance every night or a few evenings each week for an indefinite period. Failure to follow this advice may cause serious and permanent injury and destroy all of our efforts. The lower incisors frequently overlap and have to remain as such, usually due to a strong bite.