What happens after treatment: do I need a retainer?
Yes. Teeth tend to move back towards their original position. A retainer, either a wire bonded behind the teeth or a tray worn at night, stabilises the result over the long term.
Clear aligners
After teeth have been moved, the bone and fibres around them need time to reorganise. Without retention, the teeth can gradually shift again, sometimes within a few months.
Two solutions are commonly offered, alone or together. The first is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, invisible from the outside. The second is a clear retainer tray, generally worn at night.
Retention often lasts a long time, and many dentists recommend keeping it indefinitely, at least at night. The dentist explains the routine suited to your case.
A bonded wire should be checked regularly, as it can come loose without you noticing. If you notice that it moves or that a tray no longer fits well, book an appointment promptly.
This is a general answer. Only a consultation at the practice can tell what suits your situation.
Other questions in this section
- How do clear aligners work?
- How long does aligner treatment take?
- How many hours a day do aligners need to be worn?
- Can I eat and drink with aligners?
- Do aligners hurt?
- Aligners or fixed braces: which should I choose, particularly as an adult?
- The treatment in detail : Clear aligners
- See the whole section
- All frequently asked questions