Why You Need to Wear a Retainer

Posted on July 26, 2022

You’ll have a beautiful smile and healthy teeth once your braces come off or you’re finished with your final Invisalign aligner. But you’re not quite finished—in almost all cases, you’ll need to wear a retainer for a time. It’s essential that you follow your orthodontist’s instructions to keep your smile straight.

Keep Teeth from Shifting

A retainer is designed to keep your teeth in their present position and prevent them from shifting. This is especially important for children and teens because they (and their jaws) are still growing.  Retainers are equally important for adults who have orthodontic treatment. 

Your orthodontist will advise you about the kind of retainer you have to wear and the length of time you must wear it. There are fixed retainers, which are attached to the backside (tongue side) of your teeth, and removable retainers, which can be either wire or Invisalign. 

Let the Bone Heal

Orthodontics works by moving or straightening teeth into their proper positions. The braces or Invisalign put gentle pressure on teeth, and when that happens the bone in your jaw responds. Special cells actually break down the bone to make room for tooth movement.

When treatment is finished, your bone needs time to heal and regrow. A retainer will keep your teeth in the correct position while the bone finishes regrowing and restoring to its proper density. Skipping the retainer before healing is finished can lead to a setback.

Prevent Further Treatment

If your teeth shift or change because you’ve neglected to wear your retainer, you might need further treatment in the future. Although the tooth shifting may not be immediately apparent, subtle changes can happen over time. You don’t want to experience the expense and inconvenience of getting braces again.

Moreover, any changes in your bite can eventually lead to other dental problems, such as decay and gum disease. Misalignment can cause tooth grinding, worn enamel, and difficulties cleaning the teeth.

The retainer stage of your orthodontic treatment is like a moment of graduation. You’ve finished months of hard work and experienced sacrifices like giving up chewing gum and corn on the cob. But if you don’t wear your retainer, you can find yourself in the orthodontist’s chair again.

If you need tooth straightening in the Saginaw or Frankenmuth area, click here to see if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment.