Retention

Retention is probably the most vital phase of your treatment, as your teeth will try to return to the original position before treatment - we therefore need to coax them to remain in the new position while the ligaments and bone around your teeth firm up again.

This is why you must wear your retention appliances to enable your teeth to stabilise in the new position. These may be one of three types of appliance as described here .

Unless you have a fixed or bonded retainer, your orthodontist will instruct you to slowly reduce the number of hours per day that you wear the retainer and will usually monitor your progress every three months for up to a year.

Your orthodontist will advise you to wear your retainers for specific periods. It is important to follow the advice exactly. However, most patients wear retainers for the following intervals.

Looking after your retainer

How to keep your teeth straight forever

Teeth, in particular the lower teeth, tend to crowd up as we grow older. This happens in people who have never worn braces as well as in people who have undergone orthodontic treatment.

If you want your teeth to always remain straight after the formal retention period is complete, you should consider wearing your retainers a couple of nights a week for ever! The sensible thing to do is try the retainers in every night and wear them the nights they feel tight. This will ensure they always fit and thus the teeth always remain straight.