We’re not going to pretend that orthodontic treatment is always simple and easy—in fact, it takes a lot of commitment and hard work. For this reason, Byrne Orthodontics wants our patients to keep their results in place for a long, long time. We’re going to explain how long you need to wear a retainer after braces.
What’s the Point of a Retainer?
Retainers serve multiple purposes for our patients, where they’re children, teenagers, or adults. They are never optional, because of the important role they play during the retention phase of orthodontics—which is what we call the period after active treatment has been successfully completed.
- Aids in Bone and Tissue Stability: Once permanent braces are removed by Dr. Byrne or Dr. Pinckney, the bone and soft tissues around your teeth don’t automatically adjust. Retainers are essential in helping your teeth stabilize while your mouth adapts.
- Prevents Teeth from Shifting Back: If teeth are left to their own devices after they’ve been aligned, they will begin to revert back towards their previous positions.
- Maintains Bite Alignment: Retainers not only keep your teeth aligned but also help maintain a consistent overall bite position. This combats issues like jaw pain or uneven tooth wear, which can develop if the bite begins to shift.
- Protects the Results of Your Treatment: Using your retainer as instructed throughout your life helps you protect your investment by ensuring your teeth remain in their ideal positions for many years to come.
Choosing Carefully
At one time, there was only one primary choice of retainer. We still use these, and they’re great—but time has afforded us a couple more options since then. Our doctors study your teeth and individual needs closely when they’re selecting the right type of retainer for you.
1. Removable Retainers
- Hawley Retainers: These are the original retainer, featuring wire and acrylic. They’re very versatile and hold up well for a long time.
- Wear Schedule: Patients wear this retainer full-time for several months to a year, then transition to nightly wear after that, either every night or a few nights a week.
- Clear Plastic Retainers: Clear retainers are well-loved for their appearance, a lot like Invisalign. They do sustain a bit more damage over time, so we replace them more often than Hawley retainers.
- Wear Schedule: These also start with a year or so of full-time wear before shifting to part-time use.
2. Fixed Retainers
- Bonded Retainers: These might remind you a bit of lingual braces. For patients who are a little worried about managing a removable retainer, a fixed one is an ideal compromise. They provide constant daily support for your smile, attached to the back of your front teeth.
- Wear Schedule: Since these stay in place permanently, most of the maintenance involved relates to cleaning and attending regular office visits to monitor your retainer’s condition.
Demystifying Retainer Use
People have a good amount of questions about retainers—partially because not everything said about them is accurate. Let’s go over some facts you should definitely know about retainers if you’re going to be using one!
- Myth #1: : Retainers Are Uncomfortable to Wear
- Reality: Retainers may feel tight at first, but they are custom-made for your comfort. Any discomfort usually subsides as your mouth adjusts. If your retainer continues to feel uncomfortable, we’ll want to take a look at it to assess the fit.
- Myth #2: You Can Eat with Your Removable Retainer In
- Reality: Eating with your removable retainer can cause damage to the retainer and trap food particles, which isn’t hygienic. Before eating or drinking anything other than water, be diligent about taking out your retainer. We promise you it’s not worth it!
- Myth #3: You Can Clean Your Retainer with Toothpaste
- Truth: A lot of people believe this is true! In reality, your toothpaste is too abrasive for retainers and can scratch the surface, making it more susceptible to bacteria buildup. Mild soap or special retainer cleaning solutions should be your go-tos.
- Myth #4: Retainers Are Only for Young Patients
- Reality: Retainers are for everyone who has had orthodontic treatment, regardless of age. It truly doesn’t matter how old you are, though age might impact what type of retainer we choose for you. Your teeth will try to relapse into their former positions without a retainer no matter what.
The Retainer’s Role
Byrne Orthodontics doesn’t expect our patients to enter our office as certified retainer experts—that job has been left to us! But we can still share this information with you to help make your treatment better. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Saratoga Springs or Greenwich offices with any questions!