Braces take a good amount of time to get your teeth straightened out. It wasn’t necessarily a “fun” process, but the results were completely worth it. Your smile is stunning, your bite is perfect, and the added health benefits aren’t too shabby either. After treatment, your orthodontist provided you with your very own customized retainer. After more than a year of wearing an orthodontic appliance, you question whether it’s necessary to add another one to your repertoire. After all, what could possibly happen to your teeth without a retainer?
Well, for starters, you could undo all the good your orthodontic treatment did.
What are Retainers Good for, Anyway?
You didn’t go through braces (or Invisalign) treatment just to have your teeth shift back to where they were originally…did you? We didn’t think so. That’s why we provide a retainer after your treatment is finished. A retainer does what it’s named after–namely, retaining the position of your teeth.
Forgetting to wear your retainer for one or two nights isn’t going to be the end of the world. However, continued negligence can cause your teeth to start moving. If left for too long, you may need to go back for braces–again. And since you just finished braces treatment, doing it again seems a little redundant.
Can My Retainer Realign My Teeth?
The short answer is “no.” Sort of. According to Colgate, if your teeth have only shifted a little bit, and it hasn’t been too long, your retainer may be able to shift your teeth back into place. That is, if your bone tissue hasn’t grown and solidified around your teeth. So while it’s technically possible, leaving it for too long will not leave you with that option.
Rather than hoping for the best, make sure you wear your retainer as instructed. Doing so will help your teeth stay where they’re meant to be. If you’re ready for orthodontic treatment, visit Glass Orthodontics online to schedule your complimentary consultation today!
