Retainers are an essential tool after your braces treatment. They are directly responsible for keeping the teeth straight, so you’ll need to get familiar with using your retainer correctly. If you forgo using a retainer for even just a few weeks, your teeth could begin shifting back to their old positions! Below, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how retainers keep teeth straight.
Do retainers keep teeth straight forever?
Yes, retainers can keep your teeth straight forever – but only if you wear them on a regular basis! To maintain a healthy smile for your lifetime, you’ll need to follow a strict schedule of retainer use. During the first few months after getting your braces removed, you should be wearing your retainer at all hours of the day. The only exception is that you can remove your retainer when you eat, drink and perform your oral hygiene routine. The first few months after braces are when your teeth are the most likely to move, so this is a very important time to stick with your retainer use. Approximately one year after getting your braces removed, you can begin wearing your retainer on a nightly basis. After a few years, you can shift to a schedule of every other night or something similar. By following this outline, your retainer should keep your teeth straight forever.
Can retainers straighten teeth without braces?
Typically, retainers aren’t designed to straighten the teeth. Braces are the most effective method for straightening the teeth, and should be the first consideration for any patient who is looking to achieve a healthy smile. That said, a retainer can produce some subtle improvements in the position of the teeth. However, they should not be expected to correct major misalignments in the teeth, specifically because retainers cannot be adjusted over time like braces and other orthodontic treatments. If braces aren’t desirable, patients may want to consider Invisalign®, which uses a series of clear retainers to gradually straighten the teeth over time.
How long does it take for retainers to fix teeth?
With a single retainer, you may notice slight changes in the position of the teeth over the course of a few months. As mentioned above, retainers simply aren’t designed to fix major concerns with the teeth. For patients seeking an alternative to braces, Invisalign® is typically the best option. With Invisalign®, it typically takes between 12 and 24 months to fix the teeth. The benefit of Invisalign® is that it uses a series of clear retainers, which eliminates the need for metal appliances and regular trips to the orthodontist.
If you’re interested in keeping your teeth straight with retainers, Invisalign® or other orthodontic appliances, contact us today to schedule your visit with Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser.
