How long do you have to wear a retainer?

The usual schedule

Cleveland Clinic says to wear a retainer full time, day and night, for at least four to six months, and then at night for the rest of your life. Healthline's guide says removable retainers are typically worn full time except for meals and cleaning for the first 4 to 6 months, that some orthodontists advise at least 9 months of full-time wear, and that after that you may cut back to nightly wear, which is usually continued indefinitely. Healthline's page on retainer types describes a common schedule as full-time wear for one year and then nightly wear indefinitely.

The American Association of Orthodontists says the duration depends on your orthodontist's advice and your stage after treatment, and that retainers are typically needed for a lifetime, though how often you wear them may decrease over time.

• First 4 to 6 months: full time, except for meals and cleaning (Cleveland Clinic, Healthline).
• Some orthodontists: at least 9 months or a year of full-time wear (Healthline).
• After that: nightly, usually indefinitely.
• Fixed retainers: stay in all day and night.

How long do retainers last?

The retainer device wears out sooner than your need for one. Healthline's guide says retainers may need replacing after a couple of years. Healthline's page on types says a permanent bonded wire is typically left in place indefinitely, a Hawley retainer lasts about 1 to 20 years, and clear plastic retainers last about 6 to 12 months or more. Those are rough figures from one 2018 page, and the Cleveland Clinic and AAO pages give no lifespan for the device, only that retainers can wear out or stop fitting, so ask your orthodontist when to replace yours.

How long do permanent retainers last?

A permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth, most often the lower ones, according to Cleveland Clinic and the AAO. Healthline says it is typically left in place indefinitely and can be removed only by a dentist or orthodontist. It can break or come unstuck, and because it is hard to floss around, plaque and tartar can build up, so cleaning around it daily is important.

What about clear retainers and Invisalign retainers?

Clear retainers are molded plastic trays. Healthline says clear plastic retainers last about 6 to 12 months or more, can discolor, can warp with heat and cannot be adjusted or repaired, though replacement copies are easy to make. Your orthodontist may give you more than one set. If your retainer is cracked, warped or no longer snug, ask for a replacement instead of continuing to wear it.

What happens if you stop wearing it?

Cleveland Clinic says your teeth will likely shift back, which can stop the upper and lower teeth meeting properly, and that if a retainer feels tight or no longer fits, your teeth have probably moved. Healthline says teeth tend to move back toward their original positions, called relapse, that skipping wear for weeks or months can make the retainer stop fitting, and that you may need orthodontic treatment again within 10 years, or sooner. Do not try to force a tight retainer on, and contact your orthodontist promptly.

Keeping it clean

Clean it daily. Cleveland Clinic says to clean at least once a day, brush and floss your teeth before inserting it, brush removable retainers with antibacterial soap and water, avoid harsh toothpastes, and store it in its case away from heat and pets. The AAO says to avoid hot water, alcohol and bleach products, which can damage it, and to soak weekly in a retainer-cleaning solution. Healthline suggests rinsing with lukewarm water each time you take it out and not boiling it or putting it in the dishwasher.

Lost or broken retainers

See your orthodontist promptly. Healthline says if a retainer is lost or cracks, see your orthodontist promptly to prevent relapse, and checkups are typically scheduled 1, 3, 6, 11 and 24 months after braces come off. The AAO says replacement retainers may cost extra beyond the initial treatment fee and insurance coverage varies, so ask about replacement fees before you need one.

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