Braces take a good amount of time to get your teeth straightened out, but retainers are essential, too. It wasn’t necessarily a “fun” process, but the results were completely worth it. Your smile is stunning, your bite is perfect, and the added health benefits aren’t too shabby either. After treatment, your orthodontist provided you with your very own customized retainers. You might be wondering, are they really necessary? After all, what could possibly happen if I don’t wear my retainers?
Well, for starters, you could undo all the good your orthodontic treatment did. Teeth have memory and they will want to go back the way they were before you started treatment
What are retainers good for, anyway?
You didn’t go through braces or Invisalign treatment just to have your teeth shift back to where they were originally. That’s why we provide a retainer after your treatment is finished. A retainer does what it’s named after–namely, retaining the position of your teeth.
Forgetting to wear your retainer for one or two nights isn’t going to be the end of the world. However, continued negligence can cause your teeth to start moving. If left for too long, you may need to go back for braces or Invisalign–again. And since you just finished braces treatment, doing it again seems a little redundant.
Do I have to wear my retainer forever?
No, absolutely NOT. You only have to wear your retainers as long as you want your teeth straight. The question is, do you want them straight forever? We want to help you maintain your new, beautiful smile for a lifetime! This is why Dr. Black created the Love My Smile Retainer Program. Accidents happen. Your retainers may get tossed away in the trash or left in a hotel while on vacation. Your dog may mistake them for a new chew toy. Our Love My Smile Retainer Program makes it super easy for you to get replacement retainers!
- Sign up using our easy online form.
- Whenever you need a new retainer, reach out to let us know and order it by paying the copay.
- Enjoy a lifetime of smiles!
Can my retainers realign my teeth?
The short answer is “no.” Sort of. According to Colgate, if your teeth have only shifted a little bit, and it hasn’t been too long, your retainer may be able to shift your teeth back into place. That is, if your bone tissue hasn’t grown and solidified around your teeth. So while it’s technically possible, leaving it for too long will not leave you with that option.
At Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg, Dr. Black advises you to wear your retainer every night. Your smile took a lot of work and patience to get it exactly the way you wanted it to be. Your retainer will help keep it that way.
If you have any questions about your retainer, don’t hesitate to ask us at your next appointment. Our team is always happy to help!