When braces are removed, it is important to keep the teeth from migrating back to their previous position. To prevent this from happening, the patient is fitted with a retainer. A retainer is a removable or fixed appliance made of plastic and wire that is used to prevent further tooth movement after treatment with braces.
Orthodontists vary in how long they require patients to wear a retainer. Typically, retainers are worn full-time for about 2 years after getting your braces off and just at night for another 2 to 5 years. Then you may need to wear your retainer to bed once a week until you are certain that all your teeth are permanently fixed.
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