You’ve just had your braces removed or finished your last set of aligner trays, and now you have a stunning smile. Of course, you’ll want to keep your results for a lifetime. The only way to do that is by wearing orthodontic retainers. When patients hear this, the first question they usually ask is: how long will I have to wear them?
What Are Retainers?
Dental retainers are custom-made devices that hold the teeth in their new positions after alignment. When your treatment with braces or aligners is complete, you begin the final stage of orthodontic care, known as the retention phase.
There are two main types of retainers:
Removable Retainers
There are two kinds of removable retainers.
Clear retainers look similar to aligners. They fit over the entire dental arch and are made of smooth, transparent, hypoallergenic plastic — making them nearly invisible and comfortable to wear.
Hawley retainers consist of an acrylic base that follows the shape of the palate or dental arch, and a metal wire. The wire is visible, which makes this type of retainer more noticeable than the clear plastic one.
Fixed Retainers
Permanent retainers can remain in place for years or even decades with proper care. Often, orthodontists combine removable and fixed retainers: fixed ones are placed on the lower teeth, and removable trays are used for the upper arch.
Why Do You Need to Wear Retainers?
During the active phase of orthodontic treatment — when you wear braces or aligners — your teeth are moved by remodeling the surrounding tissues, including bone. Orthodontic appliances apply continuous gentle pressure to the teeth, causing natural bone remodeling around the tooth root: bone breaks down on one side, allowing the tooth to move, and forms on the other, securing it in the new position.
It takes time for new bone and ligaments to form and stabilize the teeth in their new locations.
Retainers hold the teeth in place while this happens, helping to stabilize the bite and secure the results.
If you don’t wear your retainers, your teeth may shift back toward their original positions. Wearing retainers is the only way to prevent this and protect the investment you made in your smile.
Even after the teeth have stabilized, they may still move slightly over time. Retainers minimize these natural changes.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Retainers?
During the first few months after braces or aligner treatment, most patients wear retainers full time while the bone and tissues heal to keep the teeth stable. Just like aligners, removable retainers should be taken out only for eating, drinking anything other than plain water, and brushing your teeth.
After several months, your teeth will become more stable, and the risk of relapse decreases. At this stage, you may switch to wearing retainers only at night. Usually, you will need to sleep in your retainers for as long as you wore orthodontic appliances.
Eventually, you’ll transition to wearing them only a few nights per week.
It’s important to note that every case is unique. Severe crowding or bite issues are often harder to correct. Some patients maintain their results after wearing retainers for just 12 months, while others may experience unwanted shifting even after many years. The only guaranteed way to keep teeth in their ideal positions is to continue wearing fixed or removable retainers as long as your orthodontist recommends.
Do You Need to Wear Retainers for Life?
Ideally, yes. Wearing your retainers is especially important immediately after orthodontic treatment, but using them a few nights a week throughout your life will help prevent shifting and natural age-related tooth movement.
What If Your Retainers No Longer Fit?
Even after just a few days without wearing them, retainers can feel tight.
If you haven’t worn them for a month or longer, they will likely feel uncomfortable.
If you can insert your retainers without force, continue wearing them — any sensitivity or discomfort should fade with regular use.
However, if you need to push them in forcefully, do not wear them. Instead, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible to have a new pair made.
How Long Do Retainers Last?
The lifespan of retainers depends on how well you care for them. Permanent retainers can last for decades if you keep them clean. If plaque builds up around them, it may lead to cavities, and the retainer might need to be removed.
Removable retainers generally don’t last as long, but with good care, they can serve you for years.
Retainer Care Instructions
While specific retainer instructions may vary depending on your needs, the following tips will help you successfully complete the retention phase:
- Your retainers only work when you wear them.
- Visit your orthodontic clinic periodically during the first year of retention.
- Always place your retainers in their case when you remove them.
- Keep removable retainers away from pets.
- Avoid extreme temperatures (for example, don’t leave them in a hot car or drink hot coffee while wearing them) and handle them gently.
- Remove retainers before eating or drinking anything other than water.
- Rinse removable retainers with warm (not hot) water.
- Clean removable retainers with a soft toothbrush and mild soap.
Orthodontic treatment consists of several stages. Braces and aligners correct tooth misalignment, while retainers preserve the results.
Now that you know how long you’ll need to wear retainers and why they are important, we hope you have all the information you need to care for your new smile.
For more detailed guidance, you can consult the orthodontists at YAREMA DENTAL Clinic.