The short answer is yes! :-)
You have just finished with braces or clear aligners and unveiled a beautifully aligned smile. The journey may have taken some time and diligence and you may be wondering, "Do I need to wear retainers now that my teeth are straight?"
Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining the results from your orthodontic treatment. While braces have successfully shifted your teeth into their desired positions, it is important to understand that teeth have a memory of their own. Without the support of retainers, they will be inclined to revert to their original positions over time.
The initial period after braces are removed is particularly critical. Your teeth are still settling in to their new positions, and wearing retainers helps to solidify these changes. Our office will provide specific guidelines on how often you should wear your retainers to ensure your teeth remain in alignment. It is very common for their to be a period of time that you will be instructed to wear your retainers full time other than eating, drinking and cleaning your teeth when you first get your braces off.
As time progresses, the frequency that you are instructed to wear your retainers may change, allowing you to wear them less frequently. My favorite phrase for retainer wear is "Nighttime for a Lifetime!". What this means is that your should continue to wear your retainer to bed for as long as you want your teeth to remain straight.
Consistency is the key to wearing retainers. Skipping or neglecting to wear your retainers as advised can lead to gradual movement of your teeth. Think of your retainers as insurance for your investment in a straight and beautiful smile!
Here are a few reasons why wearing retainers is crucial
- Preventing tooth movement: Your teeth may have shifted during orthodontic treatment, but without the support of retainers, there is a high risk that they will shift back to their original position.
- Stabilizing the bite: Retainers not only maintain the alignment of the front teeth but also contribute to stabilizing the bite.
- Post-orthodontic adjustment period: In the initial months after braces are removed, your teeth are still adapting to their new positions. Wearing retainers helps solidify the changes and ensure a lasting outcome.
- Protection against clenching and grinding- clear retainers can provide protecting from the negative effects of the forces generated from clenching and grinding the teeth at night
- Preserving your investment: Orthodontic treatment is an investment of time and resources. Wearing retainers diligently is a small but vital commitment to preserving the beautiful smile you have worked so hard to achieve!