Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Braces?

September 21, 2024

Getting braces is an exciting milestone in the journey to a healthier, more confident smile. After months or even years of orthodontic treatment, the day will finally come when those braces come off.

While it can be tempting to celebrate and forget about orthodontic appliances, one crucial step remains: wearing a retainer. But why is this so important?

Let’s explore the reasons for retainer use after braces, how long you need to wear your retainer, and how you can keep your beautiful new smile for life with this essential appliance.

Protect Your New Smile

Once braces are removed, your teeth may look perfectly aligned, but they’re not quite ready to stay that way.

After orthodontic treatment, your teeth can still shift as they settle into their new positions. Retainers help keep teeth in place and provide stability as the surrounding bone and tissues adjust to support the newly aligned teeth.

Without a retainer, it’s common to see teeth gradually shift back toward their original positions, a phenomenon referred to as orthodontic relapse [1].

Prevent Dental Issues

Due to orthodontic relapse, failing to wear a retainer can lead to significant dental misalignment over time.

This not only affects the aesthetic appearance of your smile but can also contribute to issues such as bite problems, increased wear on teeth, gum disease, and jaw discomfort—all the problems your orthodontic treatment was designed to prevent in the first place.

Wearing a retainer as instructed can help prevent these complications, maintaining not just the look of your smile but also its health [2].

Avoid the Need for Future Orthodontic Treatment

As we’ve seen, neglecting to wear your retainer can lead to gradual teeth movement, undoing the hard work you put into your orthodontic treatment.

While some minor shifting can be expected, significant changes can result in the need for future orthodontic work. For many, this means additional treatments, costs, and a longer path to achieving a straight and beautiful smile.

If you’ve stopped wearing your retainer and notice changes in your teeth, it’s a good idea to consult your orthodontist. They can help address the shifting and, if necessary, recommend a plan to regain alignment.

Wear Your Retainer for Life

Patients who have had orthodontic work should wear their retainer as directed by their orthodontist. For many patients, this means wearing their retainer full-time for up to a year after treatment is complete, and then nightly.

To prevent teeth shifting, many orthodontists recommend wearing your retainer for life. Does this mean you have to wear your retainer all day every day? No. But it does mean wearing your retainer nightly or a few nights a week to prevent teeth shifting and protect your smile.

Teeth can and will shift over time due to mesial drift, which is the natural tendency of the teeth to move forward in the mouth [3]. Wearing your retainer not only prevents orthodontic relapse but also tooth movement from mesial drift, keeping your smile intact for life.

Do You Wear Your Retainer?

Wearing a retainer after braces is crucial in ensuring your smile remains straight and healthy. Follow your orthodontist’s guidance for wearing your retainer, and if it’s been some time since you’ve worn one, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider to get fitted for another appliance!