Do you wear retainers for the rest of your life?

Your retainers will help prevent this from happening as you age. To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you’re going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won’t be necessary to wear them as often.

Do teens have to wear retainers forever?

For most teenagers and adults, wearing retainers to bed and in between meals is ideal for the first few months while the supportive tissue regains its strength. As your teeth gradually settle into the corrected position, you can wear your retainer less often — though keeping them on longer can only do good.

When can I stop wearing my retainer forever?

After 12 months of continuous retainer wear, we often recommend that you to continue to wear your retainers at night 3-5 times a week for life. The reason we recommend this cycle of wear is due to the slow shifting of teeth forward and inward as we get older.

How long should a teenager wear a retainer after braces?

How many hours should you wear your retainer? The first three months after you’ve completed your orthodontic treatment you need to wear your retainers full-time, which means approximately 22 hours a day. That does mean you will need to sleep with them. However, you can remove them when you eat or brush your teeth.

Can I stop wearing my retainer after 2 years?

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.

Can you wear braces forever?

TYPICAL BRACES TREATMENT TIMES Additionally, headgear, retainers, or some other forms of wire are often necessary after the initial period of braces treatment is over. On average, however, braces tend to be worn for anywhere from one to three years.

Can I stop wearing my retainer after 10 years?

Can I wear my retainer after not wearing it for years?

A few months or years: Don’t even attempt to wear an old retainer if it’s been several months or years! It’s very unlikely to fit, and it could become stuck, cause pain, and even potentially damage your teeth and tissues. Instead, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist and take your old retainer with you.

How much do teeth shift without a retainer?

Without a retainer, your teeth will begin to shift back to where they were before. “As we age, our teeth do naturally shift some on their own,” says Dr. Santiago Surillo. “But, wearing your retainer can help ensure that any shifting that does occur is minimal and you can keep the straight smile you have after braces.”

How long do you have to wear retainers after braces?

These retainers should be worn full-time for at least one year after your braces are removed. The orthodontist will make the determination for the length of time a retainer is worn based upon the treatment he or she provided during the braces process.

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.