How long am I supposed to wear my retainer?


People often ask us how long, after having orthodontic treatment, they need to wear their retainer. There are many variables that can affect how long someone needs to wear their retainer, but we can give you the best recommendation to wear your retainers as long as you want your teeth to stay straight! Simply put, the longer you wear the retainer, the longer your teeth stay in their desired position, because without regular wear of a retainer, teeth can shift.

The Retainers Intention

Regardless of whether you have conventional braces or Invisalign treatment, to preserve the outcomes obtained through orthodontic treatment, you will also need to wear a retainer. Unfortunately, you face the possibility of your teeth returning to their pre-orthodontic place without consistent wear for the rest of your life.

To think of the teeth as having a memory of their own is a clear way of knowing why this happens. In a new role, it usually takes around a year for the teeth to become healthy. Your teeth are particularly likely to try to change back to their old place during this time span because bone has not yet completely formed around their new position to keep them secure. As this process takes place, a retainer helps train the teeth to remain in their new ideal place.

Retainers Timeline

You should plan to wear your retainers 22 hours a day for the first 3-6 months of being free of braces, unless as advised by your orthodontist. If your orthodontist is sure you are gaining some consistency, they will only encourage you to wear the night time transition. Your retainer can continue to be worn every night until you've been in retainers for around a year. You should be okay to wear your retainer every other night for the rest of your life after a year has passed by.

If you ever find like your retainer feels tight, once the retainer slightly loosens into a more comfortable position, you should resume wearing it every night. Your teeth will start to gradually move forward as you age. This phase doesn't happen immediately, but it can have a significant influence on your smile over time. Regularly wearing the retainers will help prevent this from happening.

Retainers Types

There are three primary styles of retainers that will have to be worn by your orthodontist. The fact that none of these retainers are designed to last a lifetime is crucial to consider. They will slowly become less productive with periodic wear. So you will need to have them replaced regularly in order to wear retainers and maintain your straight smile for the rest of your life.
  • Permanent Retainers - By forming a wire along the back of your teeth and securing it so that it keeps your teeth in their desired place, bonded retainers are made. Bonded retainers may be designed for both the upper and lower teeth, but depending on the bite, they may not be recommended for both. Generally, these retainers need more frequent care and need to be flossed nightly as well as brushed daily.
  • Essix Retainers - On retainers that match over your teeth, Essix retainers are simple pop. After each usage, these retainers must be washed very well, but the plastic will eventually wear out and may even break. Essix retainers usually last 1-3 years.
  • Hawley Retainers - The most well-known kind of retainers are possibly Hawley retainers. In order to hold them safely in place, they have a metal wire that coils around a set of 6 teeth. Both the upper and lower teeth are also recommended for them. Hawley retainers can be more easily changed as opposed to bonded retainers, but will still wear out over time and need to be replaced every 5-8 years.

Maintenance

As instructed by your orthodontist, it's necessary to take care of your retainer. Proper maintenance will help maintain your appliance's condition which will help it last as long as possible. We always recommend that you take your retainer with you for your six-month hygiene visits so that the retainer can be tested and cleaned for you.

In addition, the retainer should be periodically washed at home. This can be as simple as using a soft-bristled toothbrush and lukewarm water to brush it nightly to remove any dried plaque or dirt on the retainer. Depending on what sort of retainer you might have, some retainer cleaners may be recommended. To see which form of cleaning product is best for your retainer, it is recommended that you talk with your dentist or orthodontist.

Contact Us now!

At Tooth Affair, we are known for providing best dental health care services to all individuals. Backed by a state of the art infrastructural facility and a dedicated & well-trained staff, our dental care center has carved a niche in the industry by offering excellent Oral and Dental services at all levels. We believe in serving our patients with utmost care and concern. The dental specialists at Tooth Affair use most advanced equipment and technology to give you the award-winning smile and attractive look.
Location: Rajeshwari Business Chambers No. 806/1, BEML Main Road,Near Anjanaya Temple,, New Thippasandra Main Rd, Hal, HAL 3rd Stage, New Tippasandra, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560075, India

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