The retainers are the orthodontic devices we use in order to keep the teeth in the new place they are. Many patients think that braces are all it takes for a perfect smile and hearing they have to wear a retainer for months/some years is getting them almost depressed.

When we end our orthodontics treatment we get the teeth into the position and alignment perfect for a healthy bite and even a beautiful smile. But they still tend to go “back” and this happens most of the cases if a retainer is not worn properly. This is why wearing the retainer is as important as keeping those braces or Invisalign trays into place. It helps the teeth “learn” the new correct place and makes the treatment a success.

Our reader wanted to know if there are any ways he/she can renounce the retainer by getting his/her teeth stronger. Well, the problem is not about your teeth strength, but the jaw bones and gums since they “house” your teeth.

You will wear your retainer as long as needed. In some cases it’s just few months (for a less complex case) or maybe some more months or even few years. In such cases there was a very complex orthodontic case and this is needed to “secure” that wonderful result you had.

By definition the retainers are not as “tough” to wear as the normal braces and in many cases it’s just an overnight thing. I wore a retainer for 2 months (one that looked like the Invisalign trays) when waiting for my Invisalign. I had to wear it just at night and it wasn’t that hard at all. I got used to it and didn’t mind it as much as I anticipated before.

If you “survived” all the braces treatment stages I can’t believe you can’t make it with the retainer. It’s a simple device to be worn, in some cases (if bonded) it’s just a small “wire” glued to the back of your teeth. You won’t even notice it. If it’s a mobile device (the one to be taken off and then placed again), even if a tad tricky (since you have to take care of it too), it’s still something you will be able to manage.

Just think that by wearing your retainer you’ll have that wonderful smile forever. You’ve been through many things, sure you’ll make it

I have worn braces as a kid and still now my teeth are crooked again. I can’t understand why. I was under the treatment, it was all looking good. And still in some years my teeth look ugly again.

This is the story of some orthodontic treatment patients who just can’t understand how their teeth are not looking good anymore. Others are scared to even try the braces since they know their teeth will get crooked again. Will my teeth get crooked again?

Well, it’s POSSIBLE.

How does this happen? How did others have this issue?

Simple: the teeth move to a new position once the braces are on. These braces “tell” your teeth how to be placed now and they move the teeth from the “right” position (the one they were used to, the natural one for them). Sure, the new position is the CORRECT one and the healthy one, but the teeth don’t “see” it like this.

There is something called “tissue memory” that makes teeth tend to move back to their previous position once the treatment is over. Sure, this would make the entire ordeal of wearing braces not worth it, since we’d straighten the teeth, they’d get crooked again, we’d straighten them and so on.

Don’t worry, in reality the problem is not like this. In order for the teeth to remain in their new position and get “used” to it, our orthodontic specialists came with something called “retainer”. This is a small device that looks like an Invisalign aligner, or a small wire device or even a “wire” that’s bonded in the lingual side of the teeth. In all cases your orthodontist will help you make the best decision.

Some patients require the retainer for some months, others for 1-2 years, while the most complex cases might require a longer time (lifetime even). If the retainer is worn properly and without too many “pauses” the chances to have crooked teeth go very very low. Most people who have respected their orthodontics treatment have absolutely no problems and have that superb smile for a lifetime.

So, if your teeth will get crooked again DEPENDS ON YOU. Just do as your doctor advises you and, after 1-2 years of braces, you’ll have the most amazing smile ever. Perfect teeth, aligned properly that will remain in that new great position for as long as you exist. Millions of people straighten their teeth and they have that great smile for a lifetime.