You'll have to wear your retainer for at least 10 years after you get your braces off or finish your aligner treatment. Many people wear their retainers for the rest of their lives. During the first three months after braces or aligners, you should wear your retainers most of the time.
There is no set amount of time that a permanent retainer will last. While some patients have successfully worn their retainers for up to 20 years, others may need to have them removed or replaced sooner.
At Orthodontic Gallery our advice is, that you must wear your retainers for as long as you want straight teeth. Over time and with the addition of fixed bonded retainers you may wear your removable retainers less often. But, we will never advise you to stop wearing your retainers completely.
We tell all of our patients that retainers will need to be replaced throughout life. They will not last forever, nor do we want them to and it is a natural and healthy process to replace them. Many people think that they are going to “outgrow” their retainer that they received at 14 years of age, but that is not true.
Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process. They move to the front of the mouth, particularly those on the bottom arch, which can cause crowding, wear and aesthetic problems.
By the age of 13, most of the 28 permanent teeth will be in place. One to four wisdom teeth, or third molars, emerge between the ages of 17 and 21, bringing the total number of permanent teeth up to 32.
One is to not have retainers at all. This is a risky choice as teeth are known to “relapse”, which means that the tooth may rotate or shift back towards its original position. Retainers resist this force and without them, teeth move on their own, resulting in a bite or smile that is no longer in its best shape.
Wearing Permanent Retainers
You only wear braces for 1-2 years. However, permanent retainers stay put for years, sometimes even decades. Some people have even been able to wear their permanent retainers for up to 20 years.
The life of a permanent retainer is actually about 10-20 years or so, depending on how well it's treated. That means you clean thoroughly around it and you report any possible damage right away.
Once your teeth have settled into place more permanently, you may find that you can go a few days without wearing your retainers and they will still fit. It is a good idea to wear them at least 3 times a week while you sleep to keep them fitting properly.
Permanent retainers can also be uncomfortable, especially if the metal rubs against your tongue or the wire breaks or detaches from your teeth.
Because teeth begin to shift naturally as we age, a permanent retainer typically offers better long-term results for teeth straightening than a removable one. You can't forget to put it in — it's already there!
The First 2 Years: When you have worn your retainers full-time, you can start wearing them only at night. From the Third Year to the Rest of Your Life: Your retainers will need to be worn less now. Skipping a few nights here and there isn't a big deal, and wearing them every other night is a good rule of thumb.
Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment and fixed retainers were associated with an increased incidence of gingival recession, increased plaque retention, and increased bleeding on probing; however, the magnitude of the difference in recession was of low clinical significance.
Permanent retainers are generally safe, as long as a person cares for their teeth properly. A person may have an increased risk of developing gum disease or cavities if they fail to clean properly around the permanent retainer. The retainer may also cause some discomfort if it becomes bent or broken.
At what age do children start losing their baby teeth? Answer From Miao Xian (Cindy) Zhou, D.M.D., M.S. A child's baby teeth (primary teeth) typically begin to loosen and fall out to make room for permanent teeth at about age 6. However, sometimes this can be delayed by as much as a year.
This process can be long and painful and is usually complete before 30. Although wisdom teeth growth past age 30 is extremely uncommon, on rare occasions, a person over 30 years old may experience wisdom teeth coming in.
While it's never too late to start taking care of yourself, those over the age of 30 must pay special attention to maintaining healthy habits. Oral health and hygiene is no exception. Teeth not only serve an important function in daily life; they reflect your overall health.
This process is called a mesial drift, meaning your pearly whites are always on the move. Your retainers will help prevent this from happening as you age. To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life.
The purpose of the permanent retainer is to keep your teeth in place. Removing it might allow for some shifting. The longer you leave a permanent retainer in, the less likelihood there is for teeth later shifting.
Not only do you have to wear a retainer after you complete your treatment, but your orthodontist will definitely know if you've really been keeping up with it.
Your teeth begin to shift if you don't wear retainers at night every day. If you go a week without wearing retainers, you may notice a small amount of relapse, small spaces, or rotations. If you go a month without wearing retainers, it's possible your bite may begin to change.
Ultimately, your retainers are made to keep your teeth in place, not to move them, but they may be able to slightly shift your teeth back in the right circumstances. If it has been too long and your old retainer no longer fits snugly, you should contact your dentist in order to come up with a solution.
Can a decayed tooth be saved? With the right dental professionals by your side, even severely decayed teeth can be restored. Whether you require dental crowns, fillings, or a combination of treatments, No Gaps Dental can help restore your smile and confidence.