Do retainers have to be worn for life?

Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete. Adults need to wear their retainers for life, but adolescents may be able to stop wearing them after about 10 years.

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Do you need to wear a retainer forever?

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.

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Do I really have to wear my retainer 24 7?

After the recommended full-time period of wearing your retainer is up, you will still need to continue to wear your retainer to stop your teeth from shifting. You won't need to wear it 24/7, but you should aim to wear it nightly for the best results.

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How long does a retainer last?

Because it's bonded to the inside of the teeth, a fixed retainer is completely invisible when you speak or smile. It can last five years, ten years, and in some cases, even longer.

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Can I stop wearing my retainer after 2 years?

The First 2 Years: After your initial time of full-time wear, you will be able to start wearing your retainers during sleep only. From the Third Year to the Rest of Your Life: Now, you can wear your retainers a little bit less. Skipping an occasional night or two is no big deal.

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Cracked Retainer After Braces or Invisalign: Now What?

44 related questions found

Can I stop wearing my retainer after 10 years?

Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete. Adults need to wear their retainers for life, but adolescents may be able to stop wearing them after about 10 years.

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Can I skip a day of retainers?

If you accidentally forget to wear your removable retainer for a day or two, don't worry too much. Resume your retainer regimen as instructed, and you should be fine. If it's been longer than that, such as weeks, or even months, try it on to see if it still fits.

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Can I go a couple hours without my retainer?

Not wearing your retainer for a night or two is not likely to cause an issue, but if you continue to not wear it, the shift can become greater and greater. After about a week or so, it may be difficult to get your retainer to fit back into your mouth.

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How quickly do teeth shift?

Usually, it takes months or even years to push your pearly whites into place, and it takes time for them to get used to their new position. While it's normal for teeth to shift after braces, it's also essential to follow your orthodontist's recommendations to keep your smile in place.

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Can orthodontists tell if you don't wear your retainer?

Yes, your orthodontist will be able to tell from the alignment of your teeth if you aren't wearing your retainer at night time. Your orthodontist will not force you to wear your retainer if you really don't want to, but they will encourage you to consider this for the success of your treatment.

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Is it OK if I only wear my retainer at night?

Most orthodontists advise their patients to wear their retainers for the rest of their lives. However, the retainers only need to be worn at night and skipping a night here and there is no big deal.

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Can your teeth shift in one night?

So yes, teeth move overnight, though the change might be imperceptible at first. Regardless of dental decay or bad habits, our teeth usually shift over time, resulting in gaps, misalignment, and crookedness. It takes time to notice a changing appearance.

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Why do my retainers feel tight every night?

When a retainer feels tight and makes your teeth sore, most of the time it is because you have not been wearing it enough. Even a slight movement that is hard to visually see with your eyes can be enough to make your retainer feel tight.

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Why do my teeth feel loose after wearing my retainer?

While the retainer shouldn't rip your teeth out of your gums, it could cause them to become loose. That's due to the pressure they put on the teeth.

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What if I lost my retainer after 3 years?

Give Your Orthodontist a Call

If you've looked for a few hours and still can't find your retainer then you'll need to contact your orthodontist to get a new one. They'll make an appointment with you to either make a new mold of your teeth or to order a copy of your old ones if they still have your impression.

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What happens if you don't wear your retainer for 1 year?

Going a year without wearing a retainer means that your teeth will have continued to move back to their original position and may even be crooked. The solution may be to restart treatment with braces. By wearing your retainer as instructed, you can prevent this from happening.

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Can I remove my permanent retainer after 15 years?

They're only called “permanent” because they can't be removed easily, unlike removable retainers. Permanent retainers do eventually wear out, but they've been known to last for upwards of 20 years. When they wear out, they can be removed and replaced.

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Does everyone with braces get a permanent retainer?

The answer to that is almost always yes. Nearly everyone will need to wear some kind of retainer after braces. Think of permanent retainers as an insurance policy for your new smile.

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How much does a retainer cost?

Without dental insurance, retainers can cost around $300, with the most expensive options costing around $5,000. If you have coverage for orthodontic treatment, the cost of your retainer may be fully or partially covered by insurance.

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Why do I push my teeth with my tongue while sleeping?

A tongue thrust is a habit someone develops that may start as a mouth breathing issue. When your tongue is resting at the bottom of your mouth, every time you swallow it is pushing forward against your teeth. Essentially, it's poor muscle coordination, and is a habit that can be fixed.

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How much will my teeth move if I don't wear my retainer?

However it should be noted that your teeth will begin to move over time if you are not wearing a retainer. Over a few months you may develop an over bite or an increase in teeth movement. After years have passed, your teeth will begin to get more and more crowded whilst collapsing towards your tongue.

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Can teeth move in 2 weeks?

Person to person based in biology speed at which teeth shift is different person to person. So after a week it's possible to have some small amount of relapse, small spaces or rotations are most common. After a month your bite may start to change overbite and overjet tend to increase and rotations worsen.

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Why did my orthodontist tell me to only wear my retainer at night?

During the first few months of your retention phase, your teeth are more likely to relapse, or shift back to their pre-treatment position. Once your teeth are settled in their new beautiful alignment, you won't be at such a high risk of relapse. This is when you can start wearing your retainer nights only.

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What not to do with retainers?

Do not allow them to “flop” around. Don't leave your retainers in a hot car or put in hot water (such as a boiling them or putting them into the dishwasher.) They are heat sensitive so they will warp or melt. Don't leave them where babies or pets can reach them.

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