How long should retainers be worn after completing orthodontics?
What are retainers and why is it important to wear them after completing braces or aligners?
An orthodontic retainer, whether fixed or removable, helps keep teeth in their current position to prevent future shifting and movement.
Wearing a retainer on a regular basis, once all permanent teeth are in an ideal position, is an important part of keeping your smile that way for a lifetime.
Orthodontic retainers come in varying materials and should be worn throughout life.
There are different types of retainers.
How do you know which is best for you?
In the past, acrylic retainers with a wire across the front teeth were standard protocol. Unfortunately, teeth could still move with the retainer in place. It was also recommended to only wear retainers for the first year after braces were removed.
We have learned since then that teeth move our entire life. Everyday actions, such as talking and chewing, have an effect on our teeth. Which is why clear retainers that cover all of the tooth surfaces for top teeth and lingual wires placed behind the bottom six front teeth is the modern protocol.
Time has taught us that wearing retainers during the day and night for the first year following orthodontic treatment, and ideally every night after that, will keep teeth straight for a lifetime.
How long should retainers be worn after orthodontic treatment?
The short answer is forever! Why should orthodontic retainers be worn throughout life? Teeth shift as we age, so a lifetime of retention is the only way to keep teeth straight. Bottom teeth tend to shift first, which is why permanent lingual wires are recommended for lower front teeth in combination with a top clear retainer.
Day and night time wear of clear retainers during the first year immediately following removal of braces or completing active clear aligners is a critical time for compliance.
Once you’ve worn the clear retainer day and night for one year, it can be worn at night only, and day wear is no longer needed.
Clear, removable retainers are comfortable and discreet.
Lingual wires placed behind the bottom front teeth should be worn throughout life. If removed, it should be replaced with a lower clear retainer.
Wearing Retainers during your Smile Journey
At the end of active orthodontic treatment, you should receive retainers.
It’s important to know that removable clear retainers should cover all teeth in the arch. Even if you have a lingual wire placed behind a few front, top teeth, a clear removable retainer should be worn along with the wire to keep teeth aligned. An upper lingual wire worn alone will not guarantee alignment.
Modern retention is a combination of an upper clear retainer along with a lower lingual wire. Another combination is upper and lower clear, removable retainers.
Visiting an Orthodontist is the best way to know what type of orthodontic retainer is best for you because each person is unique.