When treatment is finished and you have the straight teeth and beautiful smile that you always wanted you will want to make sure it stays that way. The best way to do this is by wearing retainers, which you will be given after you have finished treatment with braces or aligners.
What are retainers?
Every patient needs to wear retainers on their top, bottom, or both sets of teeth after treatment. They can be either removable, or fixed to the teeth and you will be advised which ones you will need.
Why is it important that I wear a retainer?
Retainers are designed to keep your teeth straight so it is important that you wear them as instructed as they are just as important as the braces or aligners that straightened your teeth initially.
If you do not wear your retainers correctly it is likely that your teeth will move, this is called orthodontic relapse. It is also important to know that any re-treatment will not be allowed under the NHS, so you will need to consider private treatment.
How long will I have to wear retainers?
This will vary depending on how your teeth looked before your orthodontic treatment started. However, as a
 general rule, you will be asked to wear a removable retainer for a minimum of 12 months. Changes in the position of your teeth can continue throughout life and is part of the normal ageing process, so it is likely that if you stop wearing your retainers there will be some tooth movement.
