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Do you have to wear a retainer forever?

Jim Brown

Do you have to wear a retainer forever?

Your retainers will help prevent this from happening as you age. To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you’re going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won’t be necessary to wear them as often.

Is it important to wear retainer after braces?

The most common reason is to help your teeth stay set in their new positions after wearing braces. It’s important to wear your retainer because as your body grows, your teeth do some shifting. The retainer helps to control this shifting, which occurs naturally.

Why do your teeth move if you don’t wear a retainer?

A retainer that doesn’t fit, or is snug and uncomfortable, after not being worn for a while means your teeth have shifted. The longer you go without wearing your retainer, the more likely it is that your bone tissue has grown to support the new position of your teeth.

Are retainers really necessary?

Retainers are absolutely required after your braces are removed. Retainers play a very important role in the results of your orthodontic treatment! Retainers keep your teeth set in their new position and prevent them from shifting back to their old positions, known as a relapse.

Can I stop wearing my retainer after 2 years?

So, if you wear your braces for two years, expect to wear your retainer just a little over two years, though you will taper back from full time to nights only to just a few nights a week and this is best a lifelong strategy to protect your smile!

How long do clear retainers last?

It’s important to note that with proper care, most retainers will last for 2 years before you need a replacement. Naturally, there are a few simple things you can do to extend the life of your retainers.

What happens if I stop wearing retainers?

When you stop wearing retainers consistently, the teeth will slowly shift and move into different positions. This means that formerly crowded teeth will become crowded and crooked again. Teeth that had spaces between then will revert to gaps opening back up.

How many hours should you wear your retainer?

The question is, how long do you need to wear it? Here’s short answer: As long as you want your teeth to remain straight, you should be wearing your retainers. It is recommended you wear your retainer at least 12 hours out of every day for the first eight weeks following the completion of your treatment.

Is it OK to not wear retainer for 2 days?

Retainers are designed to keep your teeth in place, choosing to not wear it for a long period of time will cause some issues. It’s fine to miss a day or two because your teeth won’t move much during that time. If you go without it much longer than that, then your teeth will start to shift again.

How long until your teeth move without retainer?

Our orthodontists say the first three months after debonding (getting braces removed) are the most critical, as your teeth are still getting used to the new positions. This period is when it’s easiest for your teeth to move without retainers.


Do you have to wear a retainer forever?

Jim Brown

Do you have to wear a retainer forever?

To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you’re going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. Though the process becomes slower and slower, if you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will gradually move back to their original position. In a way, teeth remember their original position.

How long do permanent retainers last?

In contrast, permanent retainers have been known to last upwards of 20 years with proper care! But they are not invincible and can still be damaged or become worn out.

Can I remove my permanent retainer?

A permanent retainer is bonded to the inside surface of your teeth so you can’t remove it. The most noteworthy benefit of a permanent retainer is its ability to keep your teeth straight and smile at its best.

Can you force your retainer to fit again?

If it turns out that your retainer has become warped, the orthodontist can fit you with a new one or possibly adjust the previous one. For those who haven’t been wearing their retainer enough, the orthodontist might be able to provide a new retainer that can get your teeth to where they need to be.

Do permanent retainers make your breath stink?

Many people believe that some part of their appliances must be causing the stench. However, this is not the case. Braces or retainers contribute to bad breath just as much as normal teeth do. The real culprit is halitosis-inducing bacteria.

How much does it cost to repair a permanent retainer?

A permanent, or bonded, retainer may cost from $150 to $500 to put in place or replace if lost or broken. The cost of the initial placement may be included in the overall cost of your braces.

What happens if you remove a permanent retainer?

Because permanent retainers are cemented into place, they should only be removed by a dental professional. Attempting to remove a permanent retainer yourself could lead to serious injury and damage to your teeth.

Can you stop wearing retainers after 2 years?

So, if you wear your braces for two years, expect to wear your retainer just a little over two years, though you will taper back from full time to nights only to just a few nights a week and this is best a lifelong strategy to protect your smile!

How long can you wear braces with permanent retainers?

With permanent retainers, we advise patients to keep them all throughout their teens and early twenties, as the jaw continues to grow during this time. You only wear braces for 1-2 years. However, permanent retainers stay put for years, sometimes even decades. Some people have even been able to wear their permanent retainers for up to 20 years.

When is it time to remove a permanent retainer?

However, your permanent retainer will age, so you should either have it changed or removed one or more times during your life. An orthodontist can advise you about your retainer and if it has been worn long enough or if it’s too soon to remove it. If your permanent retainer ages, it might simply come off.

How often should you put a retainer in your mouth?

Put your removable retainer in every night to prevent shifting. With permanent retainers, we advise patients to keep them all throughout their teens and early twenties, as the jaw continues to grow during this time.

What should you do when you wear a retainer?

Drink only water when you wear your retainer, as other beverages can get caught between the retainer and your teeth, leading to decay. For fixed retainers: Brush and floss diligently, perhaps using an interproximal toothbrush to remove the plaque and tartar prone to build up around fixed retainers.