If you’ve been wearing braces and you’ve got an incredible new smile, the last thing you want is for all the good work to come undone. This is why we recommend wearing a retainer after you have had your braces removed.

What are retainers?

Retainers are orthodontic appliances, which are used to hold the position of the teeth after the braces have been removed. Wearing retainers is an effective way to prevent relapse following orthodontic treatment. This occurs when the teeth start to move once the braces have been taken off. Without retainers, there’s a very high chance that you would need further treatment in the future.

Retainers are custom-made and you can get both fixed and removable retainers. It is also possible to have retainers fitted to the back of the teeth so that they cannot be seen when you smile. Initially, your retainers may feel tight, but you’ll soon get used to wearing them.

What are the risks of not wearing retainers?

Recently, orthodontic experts revealed that 70 percent of people who have braces need repeat treatment and this is largely due to the fact that they don’t wear retainers once the braces have been removed or treatment has been completed with removable braces. Retainers are there to prevent the teeth from slipping once the braces have done their job and without them, it’s virtually impossible to prevent further movement.

When you’re approaching the end of treatment, your dentist will talk to you about retainers and go through the options with you.