How Long Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Braces?

If you’re a little suspicious of wearing retainers, we think that makes some sense! It’s a part of orthodontic treatment that is generally under-discussed. Well, Foley Orthodonticswill be discussing them in this blog, and letting you know how long you need to wear a retainer after braces.

Which Retainer is Right For You?

Dr. Foley can choose between several types of retainers, which all have their own benefits. This is dependent on what your treatment planhas looked like up until the retention phase, as well as plenty of other individual factors like your anatomy. 

• Fixed Retainers (Bonded Retainers)
  • What They Are: Fixed retainers are a modern variety that stays in place behind your teeth and keep them in place that way.
  • Key Benefits: Perfect for patients who have a history of losing things or have teeth that are prone to shifting.
• Hawley Retainers
  • What They Are: These are made of acrylic and wire and have been used for many decades. They are removable and customized for each patient.
  • Key Benefits: They are highly adjustable, durable, and easy to clean, making them a popular choice for many people of all ages.

• Clear Plastic Retainers (Essix Retainers)
  • What They Are: Clear retainers look a lot like clear aligners, except you’re not switching them out every few weeks. They retain the final position of your smile.
  • Key Benefits: The low-profile design makes them discreet and comfortable to wear.

Managing Myths

Understandably, you might be a little confused about how retainers are supposed to work. There are some prevalent misconceptions that get bounced around on the Internet, so Dr. Foleywants to set the record straight!

• Myth 1: Retainers are only for straightening teeth.

• • Truth: Retainers actually function far beyond the teeth. They also help maintain proper bite alignment and prevent issues like jaw pain. It’s true that teeth are usually perceived as the primary goal of orthodontics, but straight teeth often contribute to the rest of your oral anatomy, too.

• Myth 2: You won’t need your retainer after a certain point, it’s just a short-term solution.

• • Truth: Teeth constantly shift throughout your life, if left to their own devices. Retainers combat this natural regression, which is the very antithesis of your newly aligned teeth! This means that even years after your braces have come off, your retainer will still play a role in your daily or weekly routine. 

• Myth 3: Retainers are only needed at night.

• • Truth: There actually isn’t one timeframe for retainer wear that works for everyone, since it depends on your treatment plan. You may initially wear your retainer during the day as well as the night. Full-time wear is common for the first several months after active treatment ends. From there, strictly nighttime use is more common.

Staying on Top of Retainer Care

There is a right and a wrong way to use a retainer, to some degree. You can definitely adopt some good habits to make your experiencemove along smoothly and avoid some behaviors that might make matters difficult. 

• Replace as Needed: Retainers can wear out or stop fitting properly over time. If you notice any signs of wear or if it feels misshapen, contact Foley Orthodontics to devise a replacement before your teeth begin to shift.

• A Robust Routine: Make wearing your retainer a solid part of your daily or nightly schedule, for whatever amount of time has been prescribed by Foley Orthodontics. Use reminders on your phone if necessary—consistency is what keeps your smile straight for good!

• Embrace a Backup Case: Keeping a spare retainer case in your bag or your car is a smart move. This way, you’ll always have a safe place to store your retainer if you leave your case at home.

• Avoid Heat: With any removable retainer, but particularly for clear plastic ones, heat can be hazardous. Exposure can warp the shape, whether it’s through sunlight, hot water, or other heat sources. Do your best to keep your retainer away from intense heat.

• Keep Away from Pets: Pets are absolutely wonderful, but dogs love chewing on retainers—please don’t let them! Keep your retainer out of reach to avoid any safety risks for your pet and your retainer alike.

Retainers Done Right

We don’t expect you to have all the answers—in fact, we’ll probably be providing you with many of them over the course of your treatment! Our message to you remains the same: You’ve got this! Our amazing team in Caryis always happy to help out. Come see us soon!