Do I need to wear a retainer after treatment?

What makes retainers an important tool

Retainers guarantee long-term success, so don't give up midway on your teeth straightening journey; instead, go till the end to secure your dream smile. Here's why retainers are more than just a 'final touch'.

Stabilizes - Teeth and surrounding tissues

The bone and the surrounding tissues take time to adapt to the new alignments. Retainers act as a gentle, consistent support system, keeping your teeth in place and ensuring long-term stability.

Secures your investment

Orthodontic treatment requires significant time, effort, and money. Retainers for teeth protect that investment by preventing costly and time-consuming shifting that could occur if your teeth move back to their previous positions.

Maintain a healthy bite

A retainer not only keeps your teeth aligned, but it also supports chewing, improves speech clarity, and helps maintain better oral hygiene.

Teeth alignment is a process, and getting braces or an aligner is only the first step. After completing that phase, retainers take over to bring you closer to the desired result.

Types of retainers

By now, you know that all the retainers share one main objective- holding teeth in their new positions. However, all these types differ in terms of visibility, maintenance,cost and durability.

Hawley retainers

Hawley retainers are manufactured with acrylic and a metal wire to keep the teeth aligned. They're easy to adjust to fit the dental model and can be customized with personal colour preference. If Hawley is maintained properly, it can go a long way. However, they are more noticeable than clear retainers.

Clear plastic retainers

They are custom-molded plastic aligners to perfectly fit snugly over your teeth. They are very comfortable and aesthetic because of their virtual invisibility. However, they wear out quicker than Hawley.

Fixed retainers

These retainers are very good for support; they bond securely with the back of your teeth and are well-positioned. Fixed retainers are invisible, but they require special care, since their cleaning has to be done by a thread or interdental brushes.

When it comes to retainers, every individual has a different preference, which will depend on their lifestyle, comfort, and aesthetics. Some would need better durability than aesthetics, or it could also be the other way around. Keep your preferences in mind and discuss them with your dentist for the best option. With that being said, always remember that over time, your retainer will deteriorate. There will be some changes in its fit, comfort, and effectiveness, which will have an impact on your teeth alignment. This is where retainer replacement becomes a crucial move to secure your smile.

How long do you need to wear a retainer?

There are two phases to this period; the first one requires you to wear it for a longer time. Followed by the nightly wear, which is shorter. However, the duration is always decided by the case itself.

Initial phase

For the first few months after your orthodontic treatment, a professional will tell you to wear the retainer for 22 hours. You can only remove the retainer while eating or drinking. This period allows your teeth to adjust to the new changes.

Transition phase

The initial stabilization period can be tricky. Here, your dentist will recommend that you transition to wearing the retainer at night. You will be wearing the retainer for fewer hours, which will give your teeth a break from constant pressure. This phase is a maintenance period for your teeth to stabilize in new positions.

Factors determining the duration

If you're wondering how long to wear retainer after clear aligners, then that can only be answered by your dentist, as well as the type of retainer you're using. Adults are more prone to teeth shifting, so the professionals can recommend that they wear retainers for life.

In a nutshell, the length of time you will need to wear the retainer is not the same for all. It is more about how your teeth respond after the treatment, or the complexity of your orthodontic case. There might be other factors deciding the duration; let's discuss them.

Retainer Care: From daily cleaning to lifespan

Just like other dental appliances, retainers are not built to last forever. But they definitely last longer if you take care of their storage. Prevent plaque, bacteria, and odors from building up by consistently cleaning your retainer. For a fixed retainer, always have its cleaning tools, as it requires special care. Daily cleaning would require simple brushing, rinsing, and then storing the retainer properly. However, if you want to do weekly deep cleaning, then soak it for 15-20 minutes in a dental cleanser to ensure it is bacteria-free. Let's discuss the lifespan of different types of retainers.

The above table has a range of lifespans for all 3 types of products, which shows that actual longevity will be defined by how well you care for them. Other than that, there is a lifespan of the orthodontic appliance itself. Your dental condition and needs should align with the expected lifestyle of your retainer.

Aligners vs retainers

Patients do have a common misunderstanding between aligners vs retainers; let's address that. Aligners do the same work as braces; both of these products are active appliances. While retainers, on the other hand, are passive appliances that hold the teeth steady after the treatment. Let's explore the different situations where each appliance is most suitable.

Highly complex cases will mostly require braces, while others might go with aligners. But no matter which one of these is recommended to you by the dentist. In the end, they will be followed by retainers. Let's conclude by understanding why retainers are the key to maintaining your perfect smile.

Secure your smile with your retainers

Take your orthodontic treatment as a journey; it doesn't stop when your teeth get straightened. Your journey starts with you asking yourself what are braces, but no teeth-straightening journey is complete without retainers. With a professional's recommendation, self-care, effective treatment, and consistent use of a retainer, you can secure a perfect smile. In case you're wondering how to get a new retainer, simply click the link below, and we will deliver your retainer to your doorstep.