How long orthodontic retainers

But how long will you need to keep that up? When patients get their braces off or finish Invisalign, the first order of business is to develop a plan for wearing retainers.

As your chompers move, they leave behind gaps in the surrounding bone and other tissue. A set of retainers will hold your teeth in place while your tissue catches up.

The bad news is your teeth are always moving. This process is called a mesial drift, meaning your pearly whites are always on the move. Both types of removable retainers can experience wear and tear over time. Acrylic removable retainers, referred to as Hawley retainers, may last up to 10 years. Plastic removable retainers may not last nearly as long and will likely need to be replaced more frequently.

The length of time that your retainer will last for is directly related to how well you care for your retainer. The first is called a Hawley retainer and is made of acrylic and metal.

The second is called an Essix retainer and looks just like an Invisalign aligner tray, albeit a little more sturdy and durable. No matter what kind of retainer you have, they all serve the same function: to keep your teeth straight.

Getting a bright and beautiful smile is definitely something to celebrate, but in order to keep it intact, you should make sure to wear your retainers for the remainder of your life. Besides, your smile is worth it! At Milnor Orthodontics, our experts are here to help you achieve a priceless smile.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Retainers are customized orthodontic appliances that are designed to keep the results of your orthodontic care in place. To prevent that shifting, retainers are designed to keep them in place in their new, properly aligned position. There are several different types of retainers, so how they work and how to wear them varies depending on retainer type. Hawley retainers are made of hard plastic or acrylic and metal wire. They are custom-designed for your mouth and fit snugly behind your top teeth on the roof of your mouth.

Eventually, if your orthodontist approves, you can taper down to nights a week, and you should continue to wear the retainer every few nights forever. A Hawley retainer is sturdy and designed to last several years, but will eventually need to be replaced. Your orthodontist can fit you for a new retainer in the office. If the retainer breaks or is lost, it will also need to be replaced.

Hawley retainers are easier to repair than other appliances, however, so your orthodontist may also be able to adjust and repair the Hawley retainer if it becomes misshapen or ill-fitting. Clear plastic retainers are custom-molded to fit snugly over the teeth. There are two trays, one for the top teeth, and one for the bottom.

They are totally transparent and nearly invisible when worn. Unlike the Hawley retainers, there is no metal involved, and patients tend to find the clear retainers more comfortable and less bulky. There are several forms of clear plastic retainers, including Essix and Vivera retainers. There are differences between the two, but both types of retainer work in a similar fashion. You'll then reduce use, wearing the retainers every night.

Eventually — after about a year — your orthodontist may allow you to start wearing them every few nights, about nights a week.