Question:
I got braces when I was 12 years old and I finally got them off when I was 16. I wore the retainer religiously for two years but the minute I stopped they started moving again. Now I'm 20 and they have actually become worse than before I got them, not to mention the permanent stains on my teeth. I heard of a substitute called aligners, which are basically a gum shield. Would you recommend them. I just don't want to go through wearing braces again. Please help.

Answer:

The modern alternative to conventional braces is Invisalign, a system utilising sequential plastic aligners, that are clear and almost invisible, to straighten teeth. Obviously their effectiveness will vary from individual to individual, but generally, they are a very successful treatment mode — especially in cases of orthodontic relapse such as you describe.