The fact is that throughout your lifetime, even if you have had orthodontic treatment, you can expect that your teeth will shift. The changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment but a natural process of life. But you have the power to control and limit these changes by wearing your retainers as instructed.
Your orthodontist will give you instructions on how your retainers should be worn. Most likely, at the beginning, you will be asked to wear them all the time unless you are eating or brushing. After a short time, you will be instructed to wear them at nighttime only. And you should wear them indefinitely. Yes, that means the rest of your life! Although the movement may only be slight, your teeth will not stay perfectly straight unless you wear your retainers.
But why do they move you ask? Well...there are various forces that cause the teeth to shift. This includes wear of the teeth from chewing, new fillings and crowns, and changes in the bones and muscles of your face as you age. These changes are sometimes only slight and happen very gradually. The retainer can minimize the effects of these forces by holding the teeth in their current position.
You have done the hard part...this part is easy! Take care of your retainers and your retainers will take care of you! Remember, a retainer will not straighten your teeth. It will only maintain the current position of your teeth. So if you lose your retainer or it gets broken, be sure to get it replaced as soon as possible.
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