Why Wear Retainers After Braces

Finally getting your braces off is exciting. After a long time, you are able to see your teeth again. And while you can celebrate this achievement, it’s important to know that treatment is not over. Retention is one of the most important phases of orthodontic treatment. At Stormberg Orthodontics, we provide retainers to almost every patient who goes through orthodontic treatment with us. Our doctors and team want every patient’s results to last a lifetime. But you may be asking, why wear retainers? Here are 4 reasons why you should wear retainers after braces.

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1. Keeps Teeth Straight for a Lifetime– When braces are removed, the bone and soft tissues of the teeth and gums have to adapt to their positioning. The bone takes 6-8 weeks to form around the teeth, therefore, full time wear is recommended initially. Retainers ensure that your teeth won’t shift and relapse.
2. Prevent More Orthodontic Treatment– Your teeth could shift again if you don’t wear retainers. By wearing a retainer, you won’t have to go back and invest more money in orthodontic treatment.
3. Stabilizes Your Bite– While braces just straighten teeth, they also align your bite. If you don’t wear your retainer, your bite will become misaligned again (this can include going back to an overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc).
4. Promotes Oral Health– Misaligned teeth can lead to periodontal disease. Having crooked teeth can make it harder to brush and floss. If you can’t reach certain areas of your teeth and gums, you’ll be more prone to cavities, tooth decay, enamel loss, and bone loss. Because retainers keep your teeth and bite straight, you’ll have a better chance of continued good dental health.