Most orthodontists recommend wearing your retainer consistently for anywhere between three to 12 months post-treatment. You can then move to wearing your retainer only at night once your teeth have stabilized in their new position.
Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete. Adults need to wear their retainers for life, but adolescents may be able to stop wearing them after about 10 years.
To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life.
If you neglect to wear your retainer, your teeth may move back into their original position. This is what may happen if you do not wear your retainer after treatment with braces. Your teeth will begin to move back into their initial place as soon as your braces are removed.
To make a long answer short, no. Because retainers in Glenpool aren't made to apply steady force over time in order to change the position of your teeth, they are not an ideal solution to realign them.
In most cases, a tight retainer won't damage your teeth or gums. You may experience some discomfort during your first few days of retainer treatment. However, your discomfort will likely go away after a few days. If things don't improve, or your pain worsens, you should talk to your orthodontist about your concerns.
Can You Wear an Old Retainer? You can usually continue to use your retainer as long as it has not been broken and still fits into your mouth, even if it is a little bit uncomfortable.
Rule of thumb is: you have to wear your retainers for as long as you want them to be straight. Your teeth begin to shift if you don't wear retainers at night every day. If you go a week without wearing retainers, you may notice a small amount of relapse, small spaces, or rotations.
Apparently, this is completely normal. In fact, your teeth can continue to move throughout your life, even if you've never had braces. I even have a friend who has watched his left front tooth slowly slide behind its neighbor over the last 20 years.
Can I wear my retainer after not wearing it for months or years? Don't even try to wear an old retainer if you haven't worn it for several months or years! You could cause more harm than good trying to refit it into your mouth. Your old retainer could become stuck, cause pain, or even damage your teeth and gums.
Give Your Orthodontist a Call
If you've looked for a few hours and still can't find your retainer then you'll need to contact your orthodontist to get a new one. They'll make an appointment with you to either make a new mold of your teeth or to order a copy of your old ones if they still have your impression.
Should I still wear my retainers even if it hurts? Slight pain or discomfort caused by wearing your retainers is normal as they work to prevent your teeth from shifting. If you experience these sensations, you're advised to continue wearing them.
Nightly Wear
You should wear your retainers nightly for at least a year. After that, you can shift your wear to every other night or so. After a few years, most individuals choose to wear theirs at night around three to five times a week.
Unfortunately not, even teeth that are held with fixed retainers may move if they are not directly attached to the teeth or the retainer wire may be bent during chewing that may move the teeth.
Ideally, retainers start showing results within 3-4 months, and you can see a slight difference in your smile.
If you are no longer wearing your retainer but are experiencing grinding or clenching at night, your dentist may need to create a mouthguard for you to wear during sleep. The mouthguard will be made of a thin, plastic material similar to your retainer.
Not Wearing a Retainer Can Make Your Teeth Hurt
If your retainers feel tight every night, it could be due to shifting and slight movements of the teeth during the day when they're retainer-free.
Don't Try to Wear Your Old Retainer
It might seem like a good idea to try to start wearing your old retainer again after not wearing it for a long time. However, this may actually damage your teeth. This is because your retainer was made for where your teeth were when you got your braces off.
The replacement cost of your retainer depends on the type of retainer you chose to begin with, but these are the average costs of replacing different types of retainers: Hawley retainers: $150–$300. Clear plastic retainers: $100–$250. Permanent retainers: $250–$500.
Should I keep my retainer in water when I'm not wearing it? Yes. Your retainer can be soaked in water to keep the plastic from drying out. You can leave it soaking overnight while you sleep and clean it in the morning before putting it back on.
Generally speaking, you can use an old retainer to treat an unfortunate case of teeth relapse. If it's been over a decade since you've used the retainer, or your mouth has grown or your teeth have relapsed significantly, do not use an old retainer.
In particular, plastic retainers can last for 4-5 years if you take proper care of them. Understanding that your oral hygiene routine plays a key role in keeping your retainers up-to-date is vital. Plastic retainers are custom-made, just like your Invisalign.
While the retainer shouldn't rip your teeth out of your gums, it could cause them to become loose. That's due to the pressure they put on the teeth.