Wright Orthodontics offers advanced orthodontic treatments for adults, teenagers and children in Atlanta, Marietta, and the surrounding areas of Georgia. Our retainers FAQs answer the most common questions about these popular orthodontic appliances.
Do you have to wear a retainer forever?
It’s recommended that you wear your retainer every night if you want to maintain the smile you’ve worked hard to get with your braces. While over the years it may be less detrimental if you go a night or two without wearing your retainer, we still encourage you to keep this habit to ensure your teeth remain straight and aligned.
What is the purpose of a retainer?
Your retainer is specially designed to “retain” the position and alignment of your teeth once your braces come off. You may be asked to wear your retainer at all times immediately after getting your braces off. As time goes on, you may only need to wear your retainer at night to achieve the same results.
Will my teeth shift without a retainer for a month?
If you’ve ever gone without your retainer for a few days or a week, you may have noticed it felt a little tighter when you put it back in your mouth. This is because your teeth can start shifting out of place within just a few days without proper use of your retainer. After a month without your retainer, you may notice your bite begin to change and a more noticeable shift in your teeth. To avoid this, we ask you wear your retainer as directed by Dr. Wright.
Is it bad to eat with a retainer?
Yes, eating with your retainer can do damage to both your teeth and the retainer itself. While you may drink water with your retainer in, we ask that you remove it during meals and while drinking other beverages that may be high in sugar.
Can your retainer fix shifted teeth?
While your retainer can fix small shifts in your teeth after not being worn for a week or two, Dr. Wright and his team typically recommend coming in for an appointment if your retainer is feeling too tight or uncomfortable. Forcing your retainer onto your teeth to shift them back into place may cause more harm to the teeth and gums.
If you have questions after reading our retainers FAQs, contact us to learn more and schedule a free initial consultation with Dr. Marc S. Wright. He offers retainers for patients of all ages who live in Atlanta, Marietta, and the surrounding areas of Georgia.
