In short, the answer is yes. Previously, patients were told they only had to wear the retainer for a year or two, but advancements in the field of orthodontics have proven that optimal results rest heavily on lifelong wear.
For most orthodontic treatment, a majority of orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer for at least 10 years after you get your braces off or finish your aligner treatment. It's perfectly normal for many people to wear their retainers for the rest of their lives.
At Orthodontic Gallery our advice is, that you must wear your retainers for as long as you want straight teeth. Over time and with the addition of fixed bonded retainers you may wear your removable retainers less often. But, we will never advise you to stop wearing your retainers completely.
You'll need to wear your retainer for the rest of your life when you have your teeth straightening treatment ends. There are different phases to wearing your retainers.
Because teeth shift naturally and may move because of other factors, you'll have to wear your retainer part-time indefinitely to protect your corrected bite and smile. Some people will have to wear a retainer for at least 10 years. Many orthodontists recommend wearing the retainer part-time for the rest of your life.
After about a week or so, it may be difficult to get your retainer to fit back into your mouth. If you do not wear your retainer for a long period of time, your teeth may end up reverting back to their initial positions.
Can You Remove a Permanent Retainer? Yes, you can remove a permanent retainer, either because you've decided that you no longer need one or because your old retainer needs replacement. Recall that permanent retainers can last up to 20 years.
Teeth Can Move Once Braces Are Off
Since your teeth no longer have the pressure once treatment is complete, there is a normal settling process that occurs. In some cases, these tiny shifts can actually improve the bite even more.
The first consequence of not wearing your retainer after orthodontic treatment is that your teeth may shift back to their original positions. You spent months or even years getting orthodontic treatment, only to watch the results fade.
While there's no set time limit on permanent retainers, and some have lasted upward of 20 years, most will need to be removed or replaced after a few years. Having a fixed retainer removed is generally affordable (around $150 or less without replacement), and the procedure is relatively easy.
On average, removable retainers tend to last for about 5-10 years, while permanent retainers can potentially last for decades. The lifespan of retainers also depends on the following factors: The amount of stress. The metal wire is put under pressure while chewing.
Our teeth never stop moving! After treatment, you may notice minor shifts in your teeth in about four weeks, especially if you're not wearing your retainer consistently. More visible shifts may appear after about two to three months.
In order to maintain good oral health, retainers should be worn full-time for at least two years following the removal of braces. With consistent use and proper care, retainers can help retain your new smile for years to come!
Plus, orthodontics can align your jaw position, aiding speaking, chewing, and daily life. 2. We can tell if you haven't been wearing your retainer or Invisalign®trays. Your smile can shift out of place over time, so if you are not wearing your retainer as instructed, your orthodontist will know.
These fibers remain loose after your braces are removed, and your teeth will start shifting almost immediately — though it won't be apparent until later. After your treatment ends, you'll likely receive a retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Mouth memory lasts a long time – Those periodontic ligaments and other structures that hold the teeth in place “remember” in a sense where they once were. When the braces come off, your teeth may seek to make their way home. Changes in the mouth reset the balance – Suppose you lose a tooth or have one extracted.
While it's true that nearly 1 in 5 orthodontic patients can be subject to some relapse after the three-year mark, it's not impossible for teeth shifting and relapse to occur earlier.
Teeth usually get a little bit larger once the braces come off. This isn't a sign that something went wrong with your teeth during treatment. It's simply caused by the teeth being pushed together with the braces on and then being released once you get your braces removed.
It's natural for teeth to want to move back to where they were. Even if you wore braces for three years, your teeth have a long memory. Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process.
Since the reatiners are bonded, or glued, to your teeth exactly like braces it is imperative that you do not bite into anything hard or you will dislodge your retainer (ie. apples, pears, candy bars, frozen foods etc...). All hard foods need to be cut and placed in the back of the mouth.
At first, your retainers will feel bulky, and speech may be a problem. The retainer may cause a slight lisp, but don't be alarmed: speech usually returns to normal within a few days. The day after you receive your retainer, your teeth may be a bit sore. This won't last long.
Maintain and care for your retainer to ensure it will always be ready to hold your teeth in place. If you accidentally forget to wear your removable retainer for a day or two, don't worry too much. Resume your retainer regimen as instructed, and you should be fine.
To prevent your teeth from shifting, you will need to wear your retainer 22 hours out of the day. The First 2 Years: After your initial time of full-time wear, you will be able to start wearing your retainers during sleep only.
A few months or years: Don't even attempt to wear an old retainer if it's been several months or years! It's very unlikely to fit, and it could become stuck, cause pain, and even potentially damage your teeth and tissues. Instead, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist and take your old retainer with you.