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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  Amit Rogye says:

  March 3, 2012 at 10:14 pm

  Hi,
  My son is 8 yrs old. his bottom jaw is very crowded and few teeth are not straight. During yearly checkup DR. Lankarian told me that my son’s jaw is narrow. Is is true and is this the right time for him to get braces to straighten his teeth. What is the overall expense for this treatment.

  Reply
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    drgalkin says:

    March 4, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Thanks for the inquiry. Your son’s jaw may definitely be too narrow, it is very common in growing children. The only way to determine this is to have an orthodontic evaluation done. We like to see kids at hisage so that we can properly monitor his situation even if treatment is not needed at this time. Call our office at 732-750-2600 to schedule a free consultation and we can better get a sense of your son’s condition.

    Dr. Scott Galkin

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