Will I ever stop wearing my retainer?

Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete and adults need to wear their retainers for life, but adolescents may be able to stop wearing them after about 10 years.

How long do you have to wear retainers forever after braces?

This process of depositing new bone can take 9 to 12 months. During this time, you are wearing your retainers, which are helping to stabilize the new positions of all the teeth while the new bone is being deposited. Hence the reason for 12 months daily wear of your retainers.

Will my teeth go back to normal if I wear my retainer?

So the answer to the question, “can retainers move teeth back?” is yes, sometimes. If your retainer doesn’t fit snugly or causes pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dental professional for their recommendation.

Does everyone get a permanent retainer after braces?

Permanent retainers can be a convenient alternative to having a removable plastic retainer, but they’re not for everyone. Talk to a dentist or orthodontist (you can even get multiple opinions) about the options for your dental goals and needs, to see what’s right for you.

What happens if you don’t wear your retainer for 4 months?

If you stop wearing your retainer, even for just a short time, you can experience movement of your teeth. This is particularly a concern for patients with more severe orthodontic conditions such as crowding or severely misplaced teeth, as the teeth could possibly move back to their previous state.

Can you put a permanent retainer on your top teeth?

Because the retainer is in your mouth all the time, there’s no need to remember to put it in at night. A permanent retainer can be bonded to the top or bottom row of teeth, but a bottom teeth bonded retainer is more common and tends to last longer.

Can retainers damage teeth?

Wearing a retainer that doesn’t fit correctly is not only annoying and unhelpful, but it can also potentially damage the teeth and nearby tissues because it is placing too much pressure on them.

Do retainers yellow your teeth?

They can. In fact, many patients struggle with the yellowing of their retainers that can occur due to plaque buildup and staining from certain foods.

How long do you have to wear retainer after your braces come off?

It’s important to wear the retainer exactly as your dentist/orthodontist recommends. Otherwise, your teeth may shift, especially if you stop wearing your retainer in the first two years after your braces come off. Most people wear their retainer 24/7 for at least 6 months to a year after the braces first come off.

What happens if I stop wearing my retainers?

If you stop wearing your retainer for a short time soon after your braces are removed (when everything is soft and not settled in) you could experience movement. Also, if your treatment was for a serious condition (like severe crowding or severely crooked teeth) your teeth could also be susceptible to movement.

Will retainers move teeth back?

Most retainers are meant to “retain” or hold the teeth in place. If there is mild shifting, then it is possible for retainers to shift the teeth back. If the shifting is more than mild, then there are always minor retreatment options such as active retainers or Invisalign Express.

What type of retainer after braces?

A dental retainer is a device that fits over or behind your teeth to keep them in position. These appliances are most often used after treatment with braces to maintain the changes made to your teeth once braces have been removed. Retaining devices can be made from clear plastic, metal wire, or a combination of the two.