Retention Information
Now that you have retainers to keep your teeth in place, you’re probably wondering how long the process will take. Here are some general timelines for your reference:
- 4 months after braces are removed, you will want to wear your retainer full time (at least 20-21 hours per day). We recommend the clear retainer during the day, and the wired at night.
- 1 ½ Years after braces, patients should wear their retainer every night while sleeping. If not at night, then at least 6-8 hours during the day.
- After these milestones, patients should still wear their retainers enough to keep teeth straight. If your retainer fits too tightly, it is not being worn enough. Teeth can shift at any time, so we always recommend wearing retainers at least 2-3 nights per week.