How long will you need to wear a retainer after braces? Well, first, let our Danzer Orthodontics team congratulate you! Whether you got treatment in Owensboro or Radcliff, that doesn’t matter. If you’ve made it to debond day, that’s a major win! Dr. Danzer salutes you. But your braces are one step. They got you your new smile. Now you’ve got to protect it — with a retainer. Let’s go over the ins and outs of using retainers and how long you’ll need to use yours.
Report to Retention Hall
Believe it or not, your teeth can be stubborn. They needed a little help getting in line. That’s why you wore braces. Sometimes, teeth want to go back to their old positions. And that’s where retainers come in.
Rebellion Against Relapse
“Orthodontic relapse” happens when your teeth try to go back to where they were before you had braces. That’s no fun, we promise. Soft tissue and bone hold your teeth in place, which takes time to adjust after braces. Wearing a retainer holds your teeth in alignment, which keeps your new smile intact.
Retainer-ize Your Results
Once Dr. Danzer removes your braces, our Owensboro and Radcliff teams recommend wearing your retainer full-time. You’re in a critical part of your orthodontic treatment. Your retainer helps lock in your results. After that, you’ll probably only need to wear it at night. For lifelong results, we suggest wearing your retainer a few nights a week. indefinitely.
Choose Your Retainer
There are two main kinds of retainers: removable and fixed. Removable retainers can be taken out for eating or cleaning, while fixed retainers are bonded to the back of your teeth. Each type has its benefits, and our Danzer Orthodontics team will help you find the right one for your needs.
The First Few Months After Braces
The first few months after your braces come off are the most important. This is when your teeth are most likely to shift back (remember “orthodontic relapse?”).
40-Hour Retainer Workweek
Think of wearing your retainer as a full-time job. That means having it in almost all day and night, except when eating or brushing. Retainers help stabilize your teeth in their new positions. Sticking to Dr. Danzers’ prescribed retainer routine gives your teeth the best chance to stay straight and strong.
Setting The Stage For Smile Success
Your teeth have spent months being moved by your braces. But they aren’t fully settled yet. The surrounding bone and tissue need time to adjust. Wearing your retainer as our Danzer Orthodontics team directs during these early months helps your body adapt. If you want to set yourself up for long-term smile success, this is how you do it.
Readjusting to A Retainer
It might feel strange initially, but wearing a retainer can quickly become part of your routine. Just like braces, it takes a bit of getting used to. But most of our Owensboro and Radcliff patients adjust within a few days. You’ll find it worthwhile to keep your new smile looking its best. And remember, this phase is only temporary!
In It For The Long Haul
After the first few months, you won’t need to wear your retainer full-time anymore. But that doesn’t mean you’re done with it!
Nailing Down Nighttime Wear
Once your teeth have a better foundation, you’ll typically alternate to wearing your retainer only at night. This allows your teeth to stay in place while giving you more freedom during the day. Wearing it every night is vital at first. But as time goes on, you’ll switch to keeping it in a few nights each week.
Why Long-Term Wear Matters
Dr. Danzer knows that your teeth naturally tend to move over time. It happens even after years of orthodontic treatment. Wearing your retainer at night helps prevent gradual shifting. It’s a small, easy change that makes a big difference in maintaining the smile you’ve worked so hard for.
Retaining Lasting Habit Change
Incorporating your retainer into your evening routine can make it easier to stick with lifelong wear. Put it near your toothbrush or set a reminder on your phone to help you remember. The more it becomes a standard part of your regimen, the easier it will be to keep up with. Remember your retainer to preserve your smile.
Don’t Stop Retainin’
Wearing your retainer might seem like a hassle, but skipping it can have real consequences for your smile.
Reliving The Relapse (Oh No!)
Did you get treatment from Dr. Danzer because of a malocclusion (“bad bite”)? Maybe your teeth had a gap, or they were overcrowded. You could’ve had an overbite, crossbite, or underbite. You made it through braces treatment, and that’s awesome! But ditching your retainer could make those past problems pester you in the present.
Don’t Retread Your Treatment
If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth can revert to their old positions (yikes!). Our Danzer Orthodontics team has seen it happen time and time again in Owensboro and Radcliff. If relapse sets in, you might have to—gasp—start your treatment over. We don’t want that for you! Wear your retainer as Dr. Danzer advises.
Preventing Relapse Is Easier Than Fixing It
Prevention is always easier than repair. It’s true for household appliances, and it’s true for your car. Things work better when they’re properly taken care of, and your teeth are no exception. Perform regular maintenance on your smile by sporting a retainer. You were diligent during your braces treatment. Let that diligence continue with your retainer.
Retainers At Danzer Orthodontics
Danzer Orthodontics wants to help you get a new smile and keep it intact. To find out what orthodontic treatment, including retainers, can do for you, go here to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Danzer. We have two convenient locations in Owensboro and Radcliff that can help you.