Are the Results of Wearing Braces Permanent?

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When you or your child have a problem with jaw alignment or tooth spacing, braces may offer the right treatment. Our orthodontists in Derby, KS, at Derby Orthodontics may recommend wearing braces for several months or more to achieve the desired results. But do those results last a lifetime? Here’s a closer look at what to expect once braces come off.

Does Treatment End When You’re Done with Braces?

No, when we take braces off your teeth, your treatment isn’t quite done yet. The next and final step is wearing a retainer to help you maintain your results.

How Long Do You Have to Wear a Retainer?

After wearing braces in Derby, KS, we’ll give you a custom retainer to wear to stop your teeth from moving back to their original position. The length of time you have to wear a retainer can vary, but our orthodontists will let you know what to expect.

What Happens If You Skip Wearing a Retainer?

A retainer is just as important as braces for correcting alignment or spacing problems. Skipping this step means your teeth may not remain in their new positions.

What Should You Do If Your Teeth Shift Back?

Even after you wear a retainer, it’s possible for your teeth to shift to their original position over time. We may recommend wearing aligners or going through other orthodontic treatment to correct this issue.

Set Up an Orthodontic Appointment for Braces Today!

Do you or your child need braces for a bite problem or crooked teeth? At Derby Orthodontics, our orthodontic team offers braces in Derby, KS, for kids and adults, to help correct alignment problems and improve smiles!

How Long Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After Braces?

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When braces can already be a relatively lengthy procedure, potentially lasting years, it can be daunting to think about having to wear a retainer afterwards. The good news is that planning ahead can help you prepare for each phase as it arises, as opposed to feeling ambushed after you’ve already gone through the bulk of the procedure. Here, we’ll look at what to expect when it comes to wearing a retainer in Derby, KS.

Time Periods

When it comes to wearing your retainer, the treatment time will differ for each patient — so will the results. The general rule is to wear your retainer full-time for three to six months, meaning around 22 hours per day, and then nightly afterward. Once you transition to nightly, an orthodontist in Derby, KS will monitor you to see how your teeth respond to the treatment.

What to Know About Your Retainer

If you search for anecdotes about retainer wear, you’ll undoubtedly hear stories that run the gamut. Some people may say that they never wore their retain (and never suffered any consequences). Other people may tell you that they forgot to wear it once and had to have braces put back on.

While you can certainly take these variations into account, you should be relying on your orthodontist to tell you more about how to maintain your results. In some cases, you may need to pop in a retainer a few nights a week for the rest of your life (some would argue a small price to pay for the ongoing benefits).

At Derby Orthodontics, we’re here to assist you from the initial consultation to infrequent check-ins. No matter how long you need your retainer, we give you the support you need to make any and all adjustments to your lifestyle (and your smile)!