Wearing a Retainer After Braces

Retention is an important part of your overall orthodontic treatment plan. Depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan done for your individual case, your orthodontist will determine the best method for retention of the final result. Tooth movement is part of our overall aging process. It is not something that can be eliminated. Retainer wear after orthodontic treatment is the only way to attempt to maintain the results achieved during treatment. Even then, there is still a chance... more

As a new orthodontist years ago, I told patients to wear retainers at night for two years, then throw them out.  Now, I know that relapse can occur at any age so I recommend that patients wear the retainers at night for the first couple years, then gradually reduce from every night to every other night, then every third night etc.  See how it goes to determine the wear necessary to keep the alignment you want.  Many people can reduce ware to one night a week or even one... more

It is true that teeth will move if retainers are not worn. The teeth will have a tendency to move back to their original positon. "Tendency" is the key word here meaning that teeth will shift but not necessarily all the back to their initial state. This tendency to shift is called orthodontic relapse. It is important to understand that the teeth are just another body part or tissue that is contantly changing as we age and get older. Hair changes color, skin wrinkles as it... more