The day has come! You are finally getting your braces off! Now you can enjoy the foods you haven’t eaten in a while, chew gum, brush and floss with ease! While it is very exciting to be brace free, you do need to keep in mind that your treatment isn’t over quite yet. You now need to focus on maintaining that beautiful new smile with orthodontic retainers. Retainers are the only way your teeth are going to stay straight. How long do you need to wear your retainers? Keep reading to find out why Dr. Vermette recommends lifelong retainer wear for all of his patients.
Why are retainers so important?
The purpose of retainers is to minimize relapse, or the shifting of teeth back toward their original positions. If retainers are not worn as directed by your orthodontist, your teeth will shift back toward the way they were before you got your braces. You may even need to get braces again! “Your teeth are part of your body,” explains Dr. Vermette. “And your body is always changing, which means your teeth will change too.” For this reason, he always recommends wearing retainers for the rest of your life.
Do you have to wear your retainer all day and night, forever?
Of course not! You may only need to wear your retainer full time for the first couple of months, taking them out to eat, brush your teeth, play sports, or special occasions. After that, Dr. Vermette will instruct you to wear your retainers at nighttime only. Wearing your retainers every night for the rest of your life will help ensure that you always have that gorgeous new grin! As an added benefit, retainers can be fabricated to protect your teeth from premature wear from grinding.
At Vermette Orthodontics, we offer different kinds of retainers. These include clear, aligner type retainers (invisibles), acrylic and metal retainers (hawleys), and bonded retainers. Dr. Vermette will help you select the right retainer for your individual needs and goals.
Have questions about why you should wear your retainer for life or about what type of retainer is right for you? Call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Vermette.
