Is your clear aligner treatment coming to an end soon? This is an exciting milestone. After you finish your last set of trays, you will be provided with a customized retainer to help maintain the results you achieved over the course of your treatment. That begs the question: how long do you need to wear your retainer? Continue reading to learn the best practices for your retainer.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Yor Retainer?
The number of hours that you wear your retainer depends on your individual treatment. Patients are usually asked to wear it for between 10 and 22 hours each day for about 3 to 6 months. At that point, it is recommended that you wear it while you sleep each night for at least a year. After this, your dentist may suggest that you wear it for a few nights a week to keep them from shifting. If you want to maintain your current alignment, you should be using your retainer indefinitely.
What Happens If You Don’t Wear Your Retainer?
When you get orthodontic treatment, like clear aligners, your teeth will move from their original locations to new ones. However, they won’t be staying in their new locations for very long if you don’t use a retainer. Retainers are meant to lock your teeth in place and keep them from shifting back to their beginning locations. This way, you won’t end up needing additional orthodontic work in the future to achieve the same results. You don’t want to under all your hard work.
When Do You Get Your Retainer?
After you complete your clear aligner treatment, you will receive your retainers. It looks a lot more similar to your normal clear aligner. The only difference is that they aren’t designed to put additional pressure on your teeth. Instead, they are made to keep your teeth in place and prevent additional movement from occurring. This is an easy way to avoid developing future misalignment issues.
If you want to maintain your results, wearing your retainer is a lifelong commitment. Fortunately, you don’t need to wear it 22 hours a day like your clear aligners. With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your smile aligned for the rest of your life.
About the Author
Dr. Bryan Friedland is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than a decade. He earned his dental doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Since then, he has remained committed to continuing education. He is also a certified Invisalign Provider. To learn more about retainers or to schedule an appointment at his office in Pembroke Pines, visit his website or call (954) 450-6640.