How long do orthodontic retainers need to be worn?

This is a question that Dr. Galkin gets asked all of the time.  Retainers are given to orthodontic patients at the completion of treatment to keep their teeth from relapsing or shifting out of place.  There is no time during one’s life when their teeth become “set in stone” and do not need need retainers to hold them in place.  As a result of this, Dr Galkin tells ALL of his patients that retainer wear is life long or for as long as they want their teeth to remain straight.  In other words, once a patient stops wearing their retainers they are at risk for having their teeth shift.  And if teeth do shift, further orthodontic treatment might be the only option to put them back into place.

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• Posted under Doctor's Corner
• Taged as completion of treatment, orthodotnic retainers, relapsing, set in stone, teeth shift