At the end of your ClearCorrect treatment, you will have the straighter smile you worked so hard to get. Before you can show off your results, your dentist hands you one last set. You should be done with your aligners, right? However, these are different. They are your retainers, and they are very important! Keep reading to learn why you need them and how long you’ll have them for.
Why Do I Need a Retainer After My ClearCorrect Treatment?
For your teeth to move during an orthodontic treatment, your jawbone has to become a bit spongy. While this helps you get a healthier bite, it takes a bit of time for the bone to stabilize and harden. During this time, there is a chance your smile starts to shift back to its original position. However, a retainer helps prevent this from happening! Wearing it helps preserve your results for longer.
How Long Will I Wear It For?
The answer to this question depends on how long you want to keep your new smile. If you want to have a straighter set of teeth for a lifetime, then you’ll have to wear your retainer for just as long. Before you imagine needing to wear them constantly, the good news is that you will ease off of them.
For the first two to four months, generally, you’ll have them in for 22 hours a day, just like your aligners. This gives your mouth time to stabilize the positions of your teeth. Then you might be able to switch to wearing it only at night. To find out a better timeline for you, it’s best to talk to your dentist.
How Can I Keep My Retainer Safe?
Since you will need your retainers, it’s important to keep them safe. Taking care of them isn’t much different from your aligner routine. Here are some quick tips:
- Don’t eat or drink anything other than water while wearing them.
- Store them in a case when you have them out.
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and clear, gentle soap to clean your retainers. Do so at least twice a day.
You invested a lot in your smile! You’ll be able to show off results you love, but it’s important to preserve them as well. Retainers can do just that, so remember these tips above and feel great about your confident grin for a lifetime.
About the Practice
At Ross & Sourlis Family Dentistry of Rock Hill, you benefit from a compassionate team of dentists who look after you and your oral health. We are happy to help the community get more comfortable bites with the help of ClearCorrect. By sticking with you throughout your treatment, you can get an aesthetic grin that you can show off more freely. If you are interested in orthodontics, schedule an appointment or call our office at (803) 324-5301.