23
Apr
If youre frustrated by the thought of wearing your retainers after so much time wearing braces or clear aligners youre not alone. You have to wear retainers forever.
Retainers are customized orthodontic appliances that are designed to keep the results of your orthodontic care in place.
Do i have to wear a retainer forever. Our advice is that you must wear your retainers for as long as you want straight teeth. We will never advise you to stop wearing your retainers completely but over time and with the addition of fixed bonded retainers you may wear your removable retainers less often. What is a retainer.
Since youve put so much work into your new dream smile youll want to protect it for life. To do so youll need to wear aftercare retainers faithfully. You have to wear retainers forever.
If youre frustrated by the thought of wearing your retainers after so much time wearing braces or clear aligners youre not alone. After 12 months of continuous retainer wear we often recommend that you to continue to wear your retainers at night 3-5 times a week for life. The reason we recommend this cycle of wear is due to the slow shifting of teeth forward and inward as we get older.
This movement occurs very slowly and in general takes decades to occur. When your braces are initially removed youll probably need to wear your retainers for most of the day for the first few months then switch to nighttime wear for a period of time usually a year or more. During this time your jaw is completing the bone remodeling process resorbing bone in some areas around the teeth and depositing it in other areas to help tooth roots become stable.
The general rule of thumb is that you should wear your retainer for a little longer than you wore your braces for. For instance if you had your braces on for a year then youll want to wear your retainer as often as possible for a little over a year before considering a reduction. Once the new bone has developed and your teeth have fully stabilized into their new positions usually after a year its still crucial to wear your retainer but you wont need to wear it as frequently usually 3-5 nights a week is sufficient.
Adults should wear their removable retainer or retainers every night whether three or 30 years after orthodontic treatment unless specifically told otherwise by their orthodontist says Dr. Do You Have to Wear a Retainer Forever After Invisalign. Invisalign can straighten your teeth in as little as 12 to 18 months.
Yet its important to wear your retainer after treatment as directed by our cosmetic dentists. Your retainer is what prevents your teeth from moving back to their original positions. Your retainers will fit for as long as you consistently wear them.
Its normal for your teeth to slightly shift after having your Invisalign braces removed or once you stop wearing Invisalign. This is the result of everyday wear and tear on your teeth as you bite down chew swallow and speak. Do you have to wear your retainer forever after Invisalign.
Your cosmetic dentist will give you customized recommendations based on your unique issues. As a general rule of thumb however its recommended that patients wear a retainer for 12 to 22 hours per day every day for three to six months. After this point most patients can cease wearing the retainer during the day.
Having to wear a retainer for life means you are going to need replacement retainers throughout your life. While retainers are made to be durable they do not last forever. The average Essix style retainer lasts for six months to a few years depending on wear and how well it is cared for.
Ideally youll wear your retainers a few nights a week forever. Retainers are customized orthodontic appliances that are designed to keep the results of your orthodontic care in place. Its important to wear your retainer after your braces or clear aligner treatment to protect the gains made in aligning your teeth and prevent them from shifting back to their pre-treatment positions.
You must wear your retainer as directed by our Invisalign dentists for the rest of your life. Otherwise your teeth will shift back to their original positions before you wore Invisalign braces. Continue reading to learn how often youll need to wear retainers after Invisalign.
Do I Need a Retainer After Invisalign. Yes youll need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment. Most patients wear their retainers nightly for a period of a year or two.
After this you can wear your retainer only a few nights a week. Eventually youll use your retainer to check the alignment of your teeth if it ever feels tight you can simply wear it for a few nights to ensure your teeth maintain their positions. Youll typically wear this retainer full time for four months to a year after braces only removing it when youre eating or brushing your teeth.
After your prescribed period of time your orthodontist will determine if you need to wear your retainer longer. Wearing a retainer as an adult can help keep a smile in place for years to come so in some cases its recommended to wear a retainer every night for the rest of your life. For children a retainer can achieve a long-lasting smile when worn for at least 1 year.
How Should I Care for My Retainers. Its best to wear your retainer at night every night to protect your teeth. But if you had your dental work done when you were a teenager and you wore your retainer for 10 years after treatment you may be able to stop wearing the device if your dentist approves.
If you had your teeth adjusted as an adult youll wear your retainer for life. The answer is simple you have to wear a retainer. Immediately after getting the braces removed you have to wear it all the time for a couple of months so as to prevent any lapse in the.