FAQ
How Long Should I Wear My Retainer?
Often people ask us how long they need to wear their retainer after having orthodontic treatment. There are many factors that may influence how long someone needs to wear their retainer, but the best blanket recommendation we can make is to wear your retainers for as long as you want your teeth to stay straight.
The Purpose of Retainers
Regardless of whether you had traditional braces or Invisalign treatment, you will still need to wear a retainer in order to maintain the results achieved through orthodontic treatment. Without consistent wear for the rest of your life, you risk the chance of your teeth returning to their pre-orthodontic position.
A simple way of understanding why this happens is to think of your teeth as having a memory of their own. Typically, it takes about a year for teeth to become stable in a new position. During this time period, your teeth are especially likely to want to shift back to their old position because bone has not yet fully formed around their new position to keep them stable. A retainer helps train your teeth to stay in their new ideal position while this process takes place.
Timeline of Retainers
For the first 3-6 months of being braces free, you should aim to wear your retainers 22 hours/day. When your orthodontist feels confident that you are achieving some stability, they will give you the go-ahead to transition to nighttime only wear. You should continue wearing your retainer every night until you have been in retainers for about a year. After a year has passed, you should be okay to wear your retainer every other night for the rest of your life.
If you ever feel that your retainer feels tight, you should resume wearing it every night until the retainer slightly loosens into a more comfortable position. As you age your teeth will begin to naturally shift forward. This process doesn’t happen instantly, but over time it can have a noticeable effect on your smile. Wearing your retainers regularly will help prevent this from happening.
Types of Retainers
There are three main types of retainers that your orthodontist may have you wear. It’s important to understand that none of these retainers are made to last a lifetime. With regular wear, they will slowly become less effective. So in order to wear retainers and preserve your straight smile for the rest of your life you will need to have them replaced periodically.
Bonded (Permanent) Retainers
Bonded retainers are made by forming a wire along the back of your teeth and securing it so that it holds your teeth in their desired position. Bonded retainers can be made for both the upper and lower teeth but may not be recommended for both depending on your bite. These retainers generally require more daily maintenance and need to be both flossed around and brushed around daily. Bonded retainers can last anywhere from 2-5 years depending on how well they are cared for.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers are probably the most well-known type of retainers. They have a metal wire that wraps around a series of 6 teeth in order to keep them held securely in place. They are often prescribed for both the upper and lower teeth. Unlike bonded retainers, Hawley retainers can be more easily adjusted but will still wear out over time and need to be replaced every 5-8 years. Hawley retainers are usually even more expensive. $250-750 is typical.
Essix Retainers
Essix retainers (the only retainer product Forever Aligned Club manufactures) are clear snap on retainers that fit over your teeth. These retainers need to be cleaned very well after each use but eventually the plastic will wear out and may even crack. Typically, Essix retainers can last 1-3 years, but often times begin to wear down or become bad smelling or bad tasting. We recommend buying new retainers about every 3-6 months to ensure new, fresh retainers preserve their proper fit. Most Essex (clear) retainers are anywhere from $150-300 each.
Regardless of the type of retainer that you have, you should always be on the lookout for signs of wear and tear. If your retainer begins to lose its shape then it can no longer effectively retain your teeth. Make a habit of inspecting your retainer regularly for cracking, bending, or loosening.
Retainer Maintenance
It’s important to take care of your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist. Proper care will help preserve the condition of your appliance and will help it last as long as possible. We always recommend that you bring your retainer with you to your 6-month hygiene visits so that we can inspect and clean the retainer for you.
Conclusion
Even though wearing your retainer for the rest of your life may seem like a big commitment, most patients understand that it is a much easier solution that having to undergo orthodontic treatment all over again. Wouldn’t you agree?
