Have you recently been relieved from your braces, or plan to get them off shortly? Congratulations! It is a great feeling, finally being at the end of your treatment. Still, many people in your position feel let down once they discover that they will have to wear a retainer. So you might be wondering, “Will I have to wear a retainer after braces, and if yes, for how long?
While you might have to wear a retainer for a short length of time, they are usually easier to handle than braces. However, keep in mind that if you stop wearing your retainer, you risk damaging some of the progress you and your teeth have made.
Wearing a Retainer
Most people wear retainers at night and between meals for at least a few months after treatment. It is the minimal time because it takes a few months for the bone to fill in. The longer you wear a retainer, the more effective it would be. But, as your teeth adjust to their new positions, you can slowly decrease the amount of time you wear your retainer.
It would be beneficial to wear your retainers every night for the rest of your life. After all, don’t you want to preserve that beautiful smile that you worked so hard and paid so much money? However, after one year or so, even just a few nights a week for several years would be great.
So, How Long Do You Have to Wear a Retainer?
An ideal case is that you will need your retainer just a little longer than the amount of time you wore your braces. So, if you wore your braces for three years, expect to wear your retainer just a little over three years. However, shortly you will fall back from full time to just a few nights a week.