Are you finally getting braces as a grown-up? Congratulations! After what felt like a lifetime of watching other people have fun with straight teeth, you’ll finally be joining the smiley club.
Braces can be expensive. After paying a lot of money for the treatment, you’ll also have to think about the cost of retainer appointments and retainers themselves. How much is all this going to the cost? Are retainers after braces all that necessary?
We’re here to give you an easy-to-follow guide on how long do you wear retainers after braces. Let’s get started.
Hawley Retainer
Hawley retainers are the most common type of tooth retainer and are usually the first type of retainer used after braces are taken off. The dentist’s office makes these retainers just for you out of wire and plastic. Most people wear their retainers all day and night for the first two weeks after their braces come off. After that, they usually only wear them at night.
During this first time, wearing your Hawley retainer at night will help support the new position of your teeth and keep the fix you just got. After these two weeks, most orthodontists will tell you to only wear the retainer at night or when they tell you to.
But some orthodontists may suggest wearing the retainer full-time for a few more months to make sure the teeth don’t move back to where they were before. So, in general, you might wear your retainer for anywhere from two weeks to six months after your braces come off.
Vacuum-Formed Retainer
VacuumFormed Retainers are the most common type of retainer for patients after they are finished with their braces. Generally, you will be asked to wear your retainer for at least 12 to 24 months after you finish the braces.
After that, you may still need to continue wearing the retainer for at least another 12 to 24 months, depending on your treatment plan and progress. During this time, be sure to wear your retainer as often as prescribed by your orthodontist, usually up to 20 hours per day or as instructed.
Your orthodontist may also adjust the retainer if it doesn’t fit correctly. Properly wearing your retainer is important to ensure your teeth remain healthy and resilient after braces. It will also prevent them from shifting into their incorrect positions before the brace treatment is completed.
Essix Retainer
Essix retainers are removable, with plastic retainers worn to keep teeth in their new positions after braces are removed. Depending on the initial orthodontic condition, they are usually recommended to be worn 16-20 hours a day for 12 months. Gradually reducing the hours of wear, while still wearing them during the night.
The Essix retainer is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and easily cleaned. Made of clear plastic, it fits snugly over the teeth and is less noticeable than a Hawley retainer, which consists of a wired plastic form. The Essix retainer is durable provided it is not abused and should last from one to three years, depending on usage.
It is important to ensure that sufficient slack remains during wear, otherwise, they may lose their snug fit and be less effective. Retainers may be required to be worn for life, for some orthodontic treatments. Therefore, it is important to seek a professional’s opinion regarding the ideal amount of wear time for the Essix retainer.
Lingual Retainer
Lingual retainers are a type of retainer after braces to maintain your smile. They are often recommended as a long-term solution for maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment. When it comes to the length of time you should be wearing them, the answer is individual.
It may vary from person to person, however, in general, they should be worn for the first year or two, or maybe longer for some, after you have had braces fitted. It is important to wear the retainers for the recommended amount of time so your teeth will stay in the correct alignment and no relapse of tooth movement takes place.
As long as you are wearing them as regularly as advised, you should be able to continue wearing your lingual retainers for many years to come. Do your research to explore the best orthodontist near you and determine who can best provide the ongoing support you need.
Permanent Retainers
Retainers are an important part of maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile after braces. Depending on the individual’s situation, retention times can vary. Generally, it may take up to two years to wear retainers full-time, and then part-time at night for the next few years to maintain the results.
Permanent retainers, which are fixed to the back of the patient’s teeth, can also be used in certain situations. These are often used for people who have a particularly difficult time with the discipline of wearing their retainers as prescribed.
When permanent retainers are used, they are expected to last indefinitely, although it is important to visit the orthodontist for regular check-ups to monitor how they are worn. Overall, it is important to follow the orthodontist’s advice for how long to wear retainers to maintain the results of braces.
Determining How Long Do You Wear Retainers After Braces
In conclusion, how long do you wear retainers after braces? Retainers are an important part of maintaining the results of braces. Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to wear your retainer for up to six months after braces. As always, it is essential to follow your doctor’s instructions to keep your teeth looking great! Contact your orthodontist today with any questions you may have regarding your retainer care.
If you don’t have a dentist yet, remember that you can always find one on the Internet. Simply search for a term like “dentist near me los stockton ca” and it should pull up a list of experts that you can check out.