After you finish orthodontic treatment, your dentist or orthodontist will provide you with a retainer. Some retainers are fixed in the mouth, but others are removable. If you have a removable one, it is important that you wear it as much as instructed. Failure to do so can lead to some unpleasant consequences. Below, you will discover three reasons why you should be committed to wearing your retainer.
Teeth Quickly Drift Out of Place
Your teeth have a memory — sort of. Once the pressure of orthodontic treatment is gone, your teeth will naturally begin to drift back to their former positions. The first three months of retainer wear are the most important. However, even after that, they still have a great potential for movement. It is estimated that 50% of unwanted tooth movements occur within two years after a person stops wearing their retainer.
If your retainer ever feels unusually snug or uncomfortable, that is a sign you are not wearing it enough. (It could also mean that something is wrong with your retainer and you should contact your dentist to see about getting a replacement.)
Wearing Your Retainer Can Save You Money
Do you remember how much you paid for your orthodontic treatment? In all likelihood, it cost at least a few thousand dollars. If you stop wearing your retainer and allow your teeth to drift out of place, you could end up having to pay for entirely new braces or a new set of Invisalign aligners. Although the second treatment may be shorter and less costly than what you went through originally, it will still cost a significant amount of money.
Retainers come with their own price tag, of course, but they are inexpensive compared to full-fledged orthodontic treatment. Depending on the type of removable retainer you have, you might only have to pay for a replacement a few times each year or once every few years.
Enjoy a Lifetime of Straight Teeth
The more time that passes after your orthodontic treatment, the more your teeth will solidify into their new places. However, you should continue to wear your retainer for at least a few nights each week, probably for the rest of your life. That might seem like a big commitment, but it is important to keep in mind that as humans age, the back molars tend to drift forward, pushing the other teeth and contributing to crowding. This can happen even to people whose teeth were naturally straight during their youth. Your retainer can prevent something similar from happening to you and help you to enjoy a healthy, comfortable, and attractive smile decade after decade.
Are you wearing your orthodontic retainer as much as you should? Your diligence will benefit your wallet and your oral health!
Meet the Practice
Comprehensive Dental Associates of Central Connecticut is home to a large team of dentists and specialists, including an on-staff orthodontist. If you have questions about how to straighten your teeth or proper retainer use, our practice would be happy to speak with you. Contact us at 860-288-5786.