What happens if you don't wear your retainer after braces?

After One Year
Going a year without wearing a retainer means that your teeth will have continued to move back to their original position and may even be crooked. The solution may be to restart treatment with braces. By wearing your retainer as instructed, you can prevent this from happening.
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How long can you go without a retainer after getting braces off?

Right after you get your braces off, you will have to wear your retainer around the clock. Once you've been wearing your retainer full-time for at least three months, you may be able to transition to wearing it only at night.
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What happens if you don't wear your retainer for the rest of your life?

Eating and speaking will gradually strengthen the supportive tissue around your teeth, ensuring that they don't shift back to the original position. Failing to wear your retainer will lead to your teeth gradually shifting back, making the entire endeavor a waste of time and money.
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What happens if you don't wear your retainer for 4 months?

Not wearing a retainer for a month can result in your teeth beginning to shift back to their natural position. In as little as a week, depending on how recent you've had orthodontic work, your teeth will start to shift.
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Is it OK to not wear retainer for 2 weeks?

If you accidentally forget to wear your removable retainer for a day or two, don't worry too much. Resume your retainer regimen as instructed, and you should be fine. If it's been longer than that, such as weeks, or even months, try it on to see if it still fits.
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How Long Should I Wear A Retainer For After Braces? | Premier Orthodontics



Can I force my retainer to fit again?

Your orthodontist can adjust the retainer at the office so it fits better, or if that's not possible, they can fit you for a new retainer. A retainer is a medical device: only your orthodontist should adjust it, to ensure it is effective and safe for your mouth.
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Do I have to wear a retainer forever?

To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won't be necessary to wear them as often.
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Will my teeth get crooked if I don't wear my retainer?

Going a year without wearing a retainer means that your teeth will have continued to move back to their original position and may even be crooked.
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Can I stop wearing my retainer after 2 years?

Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete and adults need to wear their retainers for life, but adolescents may be able to stop wearing them after about 10 years.
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How do I stop my teeth from shifting without a retainer?

Tips To Keep Teeth From Shifting
  1. Wear Your Retainer! The most important part of braces actually comes after the orthodontist removes them. ...
  2. Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene. ...
  3. Schedule Regular Cleanings. ...
  4. Improve Sleep Habits. ...
  5. Make Your Workspace Ergonomic. ...
  6. Stop Grinding/Clenching.
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Is it OK to not wear retainer for 3 days?

Retainers are designed to keep your teeth in place, choosing to not wear it for a long period of time will cause some issues. It's fine to miss a day or two because your teeth won't move much during that time. If you go without it much longer than that, then your teeth will start to shift again.
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Can retainers move teeth back?

So the answer to the question, “can retainers move teeth back?” is yes, sometimes. If your retainer doesn't fit snugly or causes pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dental professional for their recommendation.
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Is it OK if I dont wear my retainer for a week?

Rule of thumb is: you have to wear your retainers for as long as you want them to be straight. Your teeth begin to shift if you don't wear retainers at night every day. If you go a week without wearing retainers, you may notice a small amount of relapse, small spaces, or rotations.
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How fast can teeth shift?

1 These results showed that the overall mean velocity of tooth movement was 3.8 mm/day, or about 1.1 mm/month.
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Can a tight retainer damage teeth?

In most cases, a tight retainer won't damage your teeth or gums. You may experience some discomfort during your first few days of retainer treatment. However, your discomfort will likely go away after a few days. If things don't improve, or your pain worsens, you should talk to your orthodontist about your concerns.
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Can retainers cause gaps?

Failure to wear your retainer and other dental issues can cause your teeth to shift and gaps to appear between them, even after a braces treatment. Occasionally, a removable retainer can be used to fix gaps between teeth.
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How do I get a new retainer after 10 years?

You'll need to contact your orthodontist as soon as you can and arrange for a replacement set of retainers to be made.
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What happens if I don't wear my retainer for 2 months?

However, if you neglect your retainer regimen for several months, it may warrant a trip back to the orthodontist's office for a replacement retainer. Never try to force your retainer back into your mouth if it doesn't fit anymore. This can cause damage, injury, or other complications.
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Can I wear my retainer after not wearing it for months?

A few months or years: Don't even attempt to wear an old retainer if it's been several months or years! It's very unlikely to fit, and it could become stuck, cause pain, and even potentially damage your teeth and tissues. Instead, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist and take your old retainer with you.
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Will teeth be perfect after braces?

In short, braces can result in a properly functioning smile, and give patients who have been embarrassed by crooked or crowded teeth a reason to grin broadly. While most people are thrilled with the results braces provided, others may continue on to seek their perfect smile though additional work.
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Can I stop wearing my retainer after 6 months?

After six months, retainers can be worn at night time for a few more years. As with braces, it takes time to get used to your new retainers. After a month, the discomfort and difficulty in speaking will pass by so don't get discouraged.
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Should I wear my retainer if it hurts?

Do retainers hurt? At first, it may feel a bit uncomfortable to wear a retainer because your mouth simply isn't used to it. After a few days, however, any pressure and discomfort should subside and you should forget that you're even wearing your retainer.
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Should I wear my old retainer if it hurts?

Old retainers may still be usable

If the retainer is tight, we recommend wearing it anyway, even if it makes your teeth a little sore at first. After a few successive nights of wear, patients will find that their retainer fits much better and isn't as uncomfortable.
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Why arent my teeth straight after braces?

Dental aligners may be the answer. “The most common cause of crooked teeth after braces is not wearing a retainer as directed,” Songco says. “Dental aligners can help fix this problem if you are a good candidate, meaning the misalignment of the teeth is not too severe.”
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Will my teeth move in a day without retainer?

The teeth can often shift back into place when they are only slightly shifted. Once your teeth have settled into place more permanently, you may find that you can go a few days without wearing your retainers and they will still fit.
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