How Long Do I Have To Wear My Retainer?

If you go through the long and sometimes arduous process of orthodontic treatment, it will have been for nothing is you are not compliant with the recommendation of your orthodontist when it comes to your edina retainers! Your teeth have been slowly shifted into a beautiful, healthy alignment and to keep them that way, retainers should be worn forever.

Any type of orthodontia, clear aligners or braces, will require you to wear retainers to keep your teeth in position after treatment is complete. Immediately following treatment, you may be advised to wear your retainers for a minimum of 12 hours per day. Depending on how extensive the movement was, you may have to wear them up to 22 hours per day. After 6-12 months, you may be able to ease into wearing them only at night.

This amount of retainer wear may sound daunting but over time, your teeth can slide back to where they were before you had orthodontia! As your orthodontist moved your teeth, they were applying force on your teeth and jawbone, gradually allowing your teeth to move into their new positions. Without continued force to keep them in place, they can return to their original home base. Wearing retainers allows your jaw the time to strengthen around the teeth in their new positions so the bone can hold them in place.

Wearing your retainers at night for the rest of your life will help prevent the forward and inward movement they tend to want to make as we age, allowing you to have straight, healthy teeth forever!

How long will my retainers last?

Removable retainers will need to be replaced every 1 to 2 years, depending on the regular wear and tear you put them through. If you clench and grind your teeth at night, they may wear down faster than a person who does not. Of course, if you lose them, they will need to be replaced. Any orthodontist can make you a set of retainers so returning to your original office is not necessary so if you move or your orthodontist retires, you do not need to worry.

If you find that you are replacing your retainers more frequently, you might ask your dentist or orthodontist about having a nightguard made. A nightguard is usually thicker and stronger than a retainer and can hold your teeth in place just like your retainer.

Speak with your orthodontist as you near completion of your orthodontic treatment to decide what type of retainer will be best for you.

More About Retainers : Choosing the right type of Retainer