A dental retainer is a customized appliance that keeps your teeth in their correct position after they’ve been straightened with orthodontic treatments such as braces or clear aligners.
This phase is known as the retention phase, and it’s very common among patients to ask, “When can I stop wearing retainers?” because they feel they have already been taking extra care of their teeth with braces, and the answer is very clear.
Many patients now regret not wearing retainers as prescribed by their orthodontist because their teeth moved, leaving them with misaligned or crooked teeth again, this tooth movement sometimes can happen within a few days, making it impossible to shift the teeth without additional procedures.
How Retainers Work?
You can consider retainers as a safeguard to protect your investment in teeth alignment treatments, as they are crucial for maintaining proper teeth alignment after active treatment is complete.
Routine habits like chewing and grinding apply pressure on your teeth and can shift their position, which is also called malocclusion, where the upper and lower teeth are not aligned when your mouth is closed. The tissues and ligaments supporting your teeth also need time to adjust to new positions and retainers help you do just that by stabilizing them for long-term tooth stability.
Can a retainer move your teeth back? Well, they are not designed for tooth movements like braces or aligners, but they can realign your teeth if there has been slight shifting.
Orthodontic Experts often advise adults to wear these appliances for life, but kids and teens can stop wearing them after about 10 years.
Retainers Use After Treatment
Following the active phase of braces or Clear Aligners treatment, where your teeth and jaws are adjusted to create a beautiful and functional smile, retention becomes crucial.
Without the use of retainers, teeth naturally move back to their previous misaligned positions, which is called relapse. Skipping retainer use for extended periods significantly increases the risk of relapse, potentially making the retainers uncomfortable or unfit.
In more severe conditions, braces or aligners may be needed again because teeth have shifted too far back to their prior misalignment.
Initially, patients have to wear retainers full-time for optimal tooth stability, but with time, they can wear them part-time usually during sleeping only. This gradual adjustment helps maintain the alignment of the teeth and other natural changes that happen with growth and aging.
How Long Can I Go Without Wearing My Retainers?
Following orthodontic treatment, retainers are essential to maintain your beautiful smile. Let’s address how long you’ll need to wear them.
It’s always recommended to wear the retainers full time for the first 1-2 months and remove them only for eating, drinking except water, and brushing or flossing.
After this initial period, you can wear retainers at night only but do not forget to wear them every night for at least a year. Although, It won’t make a noticeable difference if you somehow forget to wear them for a night or two during the first year, try to wear them as much as possible to prevent noticeable shifting of your teeth.
Everyone’s teeth are different, and some individuals may experience faster shifting than others. Generally, if you notice that your teeth have already moved and changed their position after you didn’t wear your retainer for a few days or a week, it’s not too late to take action and start wearing them again. It might feel uncomfortable initially, but it can still be effective in realigning teeth if you consistently wear them again.
How much your teeth will move depends on things like the type of malocclusion or misalignment and your genetics. Some people have a higher tendency for relapse than others, and if you fall into this category, it’s crucial to wear retainers regularly as advised.
Types of Retainers Available
The type of retainers prescribed by your orthodontist will depend on your orthodontic treatment, your specific needs, and your lifestyle. The three most common types of retainers are:
- Hawley Retainers: They are made of a plastic or acrylic base that is custom-made to fit the roof of the mouth for upper retainers or the tongue side of the lower teeth for lower retainers with a wire that wraps around the front teeth to provide stability.
- Clear Retainers (Essix Retainers): These retainers are made from transparent plastic material and are custom-fitted to the teeth and cover the entire arch, and they are also less noticeable compared to Hawley Retainers.
- Fixed Retainers (Bonded Retainers): Fixed retainers are thin wires that are bonded or cemented to the back surfaces of the teeth, and typically placed behind the lower front teeth. Fixed retainers provide continuous support and are convenient as they do not require daily insertion or removal.
How Long Do Retainers Last?
In reality, you will need multiple retainers throughout your life, and the lifespan of each retainer depends on the type and how well you take care of it. Generally, a set of retainers should last several years before replacement is needed.
On average, removable retainers can last for about 5-10 years, while Permanent Retainers can potentially last for decades.
When Can I Stop Wearing My Retainer?
As already discussed, you will need to wear it full-time for the first month. Following this, you can transition to wearing retainers only at night. This will allow you to confidently show your new smile during the day. At Orthodontic Experts, we advise our patients to wear their retainers “nighttime for a lifetime” and tell them the importance of long-term retainer use to maintain the results achieved. Many of our adult braces and clear aligner patients require retreatment again due to relapse because of their negligence in wearing retainers.
What Happens If I Stop Wearing A Retainer?
If you don’t wear your retainers for an extended time, it could result in teeth shifting and your retainer not fitting properly. For mild shifting, where you are still satisfied with the way your teeth look, there is a possibility that your old retainer can be used to correct the problem, or we will make a new retainer for you. However, severed teeth movement may require further treatment to correct their position. Remember, retainers maintain the alignment of your teeth and do not move them like braces or aligners.
If your retainer feels too tight and is no longer comfortable or even damaged in any way, request a new one. Sometimes, when people forget to wear retainers for quite some time, they try to fit them or bite them, which can result in retainer cracking or breaking.
Tips for Taking Care of Retainers
After finally getting your braces removed, the last thing you want is another long list of instructions for taking care of your retainer. However, maintain your retainer properly so that it can effectively do its job and you won’t have to wear it for longer than necessary. Here are some simple steps to keep your retainer in excellent condition.
Removable Retainer
When you’re not wearing your removable retainer, make sure to put it in its case. Always carry the case with you, and keep your retainer away from heat and pets. Remember to clean it daily, and when wearing your retainer, only drink water, as sugary drinks can cause damage if they get stuck between the retainer and your teeth.
Permanent Retainers
Fixed retainers are easier to care for, as you only need to maintain good oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing. Using an interproximal toothbrush can also help you thoroughly clean between teeth and around the retainer.
Conclusion
It’s not possible to maintain the results you have achieved with braces if you ignore your retainer consistently. Doing that can result in teeth shifting, and once you realize this, it will likely be too late to get them back perfectly without needing additional treatment.
Retainers are an important part of your teeth straightening treatment, and you should always wear them as directed and take good care of them to keep them for longer. At Orthodontic Experts, we are always here to address any queries you may have about your retainer. If your retainer is lost or damaged, please contact us as soon as possible so we can provide a replacement to ensure your teeth stay in the correct position and protect your confident smile.
