Once they no longer have braces, they may wear the retainer 24 hours a day or just at night. Permanent retainers stay in the mouth all the time and can last for up to 20 years. This article discusses permanent retainers, including the advantages and disadvantages, costs, and removal procedure.
Permanent retainers aren't truly permanent. 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.
In short, the answer depends on the type of retainer you have. Bonded retainers, which are bonded to the back of your teeth, can last three years or more. Conversely, removable alternatives have a shorter lifespan and typically last anywhere from six months to a few years.
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.
Fixed retainers are effective in maintaining the alignment of the anterior teeth more than 90% of the time, but they can produce inadvertent tooth movement that in the most severe instances requires orthodontic retreatment managed with a periodontist.
The drawbacks of permanent retainers are that they: can make it more difficult to clean and floss the teeth. may trap in food particles that eventually cause cavities or gum disease. may cause discomfort when a person's tongue brushes against the wire.
There are a few disadvantages of permanent retainers such as they can make it difficult to properly clean teeth, the wire can trap food, bacteria, and other debris, increasing the risk of dental problems, especially if you don't brush and floss regularly, they can become damaged or wear down over time, so you may have ...
If you lose your retainer or just stop wearing it, your teeth can begin to shift back to their natural position in as little as two weeks. It could be just one tooth shifting that creates a gap, or it could be a few teeth that cause numerous issues.
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!
You might wonder “Do I need a removable retainer if I have a permanent retainer?”. Even when using fixed retainers you still need a removable retainer if you had an orthodontic treatment that changed your arch shape.
Permanent Retainer Cost
Typically, a permanent or bonded retainer costs somewhere around $250. The cost of initial placement is usually included in the cost of your overall treatment. However, replacements are not included, so it pays to take proper care of your retainer.
The Fixed Retainer
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.
It's natural for teeth to want to move back to where they were. Even if you wore braces for three years, your teeth have a long memory. Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process.
Having Your Permanent Retainer Removed
Because permanent retainers are cemented into place, they should only be removed by a dental professional. Attempting to remove a permanent retainer yourself could lead to serious injury and damage to your teeth.
If you neglect to wear your retainer, your teeth may move back into their original position. This is what may happen if you do not wear your retainer after treatment with braces. Your teeth will begin to move back into their initial place as soon as your braces are removed.
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 results of the first studies, based on the movement of 30 teeth in 15 subjects over 84 days, have been summarized in a recent publication. 1 These results showed that the overall mean velocity of tooth movement was 3.8 mm/day, or about 1.1 mm/month.
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
People who take good care of their teeth are less likely to experience tooth movement (though genetics and other factors play a role as well). This is because regular brushing and flossing remove trapped food and bacteria that could cause deterioration of the gums and bones.
There are a lot of reasons your teeth may have shifted over time and if your smile has become crooked or your teeth are uneven again, you may need to have orthodontic treatment for a second time.
Precautions to take with retainers
You can not eat sticky or chewy food like gum or candies with the retainer. You should not eat food with artificial coloring as it will stain your teeth and retainer. Brushing and flossing your teeth before and after wearing your retainers is vital.
Permanent retainers can also be uncomfortable, especially if the metal rubs against your tongue or the wire breaks or detaches from your teeth.
-Brush your teeth every morning and night with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As you brush, spend extra time around your retainer by tuArning the brush vertically and thoroughly scrubbing. This can help you remove the plaque and bacteria that gather there. -Floss your teeth every night before bed.
Flossing with permanent retainers can be easy once you know how to use floss threaders. It may just take a little practice and some good dexterity. If you can't physically do it, don't beat yourself up. But it will take some getting used to before you find it an easy habit to add to your daily routine.
However, in general, the cost of getting braces again will be lower than it was the first time around. This is because you will likely only need to wear them for a shorter period of time, and your teeth will have already been straightened to some extent.
Braces as a kid
When children that young have braces, their teeth are still prone to a significant amount of movement and shifting as they age. This means that even if they are perfectly straight when they are 7 or 8, they may once again require braces as a teenager or adult when all of their adult teeth have come in.