How Long do I Need to Wear my Retainers (and other FAQ)
Maybe you just got your braces off, finished clear aligner treatment, or perhaps you finished some time ago. A common question we get asked is, "how long do I need to wear my retainers?" The answer is quite simple....as long as you want your smile to remain as straight and as beautiful as the day you finished your orthodontic treatment, you'll need to wear your retainers for life.
After you complete your orthodontic treatment, you will be instructed to wear them around the clock for a specific period of time, and then you will graduate to nighttime-only wear. Wear them as prescribed after you complete your orthodontic treatment to avoid relapse and the need to repeat the orthodontic treatment later in life.
Will I Ever Need to Replace My Retainers?
On occasion, your retainers may need replacement, but they can also last a long time if worn and maintained properly. Outside of normal wear and tear from every day use, here are some reasons why your retainers may need to be replaced:
1). Non-compliance: If you do not wear your retainers as prescribed, your teeth will move (relapse) out of their final position. Eventually your retainers will not fit and need to be replaced to prevent further relapse.
2). Improper care and maintenance: Not following care and maintenance directions will compromise the integrity of your retainers. Three of the most common contributors? Soaking them in any mouthwash, but especially ones with high alcohol content, soaking them in hot water, which warps the plastic, or not cleaning them at all, which allows tartar to form on the appliances themselves.
3). “My dog ate it.” Dogs and other animals love to eat plastic! When not in use, keep them in your case at all times.
4). “I threw them away.” Your case not only stops animals from getting at your retainers, but it also prevents them from being thrown away accidentally because they were placed in a napkin.
Adult Orthodontic Services are available at our office for patients of record. See the Adult Orthodontic Services tab for more information!
Questions? Contact us directly by phone (781) 942-2020, by e-mail at info@drkhull.com, or by navigating to the Contact tab of our website.
Not a patient but would like to become one? Send us an Appointment Request!