“Do I have to wear a retainer forever?”
I am a 27 year old male who has been wearing a retainer for 6 years. Do I have to wear a retainer forever?
6 Answers
Yes for the most part. If you want your teeth to stay where they are you need to actively keep them there with a retainer. Some bites are more stable and would probably remain as is any way but many bites have a tendency to shift slightly over time with changes in your teeth and soft tissues like tongue, cheeks, lips etc.
Nightly wear long term is the only way to make sure teeth stay straight. Sometimes you can skip nights and be okay but be very careful if you are doing that.
If this is an ortho retainer, you are supposed to wear it for life. You should check with the dentist who did the orthodontic treatment for you.
Thanks.
Thanks.
It depends on what your original problem was and what result was achieved. Many orthodontists view retention as a lifetime responsibility. Many use permanent or fixed retainers. Other try to wean the patient down to the least amount of time necessary to maintain the desired result. It’s really a philosophical issue that should be discussed with your orthodontist.
It's smart to wear your retainer an hour a day for life. Teeth can shift after being straight for decades.
Only if you want your teeth to remain straight through out your life. Teeth tend to shift as we get older. It is called Aging. The only way to keep teeth straight after braces is WEAR YOUR RETAINERS at night forever. Sorry no magic bullet.
