Life After Orthodontic Treatment: Understanding the Importance of Retainers

Completing your orthodontic treatment—whether with braces or clear aligners—is a huge milestone. But while your smile may look perfect today, keeping it that way requires ongoing care. At Broad Street Braces in Philadelphia, we remind every patient: retainers are not optional—they’re essential. In fact, life after braces or aligners is just the beginning of long-term smile maintenance.

Why Are Retainers So Important?

Your teeth aren’t set in stone. They’re held in place by elastic fibers and soft tissue that shift and adapt. Once your braces or aligners come off, your teeth naturally want to move back toward their original positions—a process called orthodontic relapse.

Wearing your retainer as directed is the only way to prevent relapse and protect your investment in a straight, healthy smile.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO):

• 1 in 5 orthodontic patients is an adult who’s already had treatment once and relapsed due to lack of retainer use.
• Orthodontic relapse can begin within weeks if retainers aren’t worn consistently.

What Happens If You Skip Your Retainer?

If you don’t wear your retainer after treatment, you could experience:

• Shifting teeth
• Gaps reappearing
• Overbite or underbite returning
• Tightness or discomfort when trying to wear your retainer again
• Need for retreatment

Once your teeth shift significantly, retainers alone won’t help—you may need braces or aligners again. That’s why we stress that wearing your retainer is a lifelong commitment, not just a short-term step.

Types of Retainers

At Broad Street Braces, we can recommend several types of retainers to suit your needs and lifestyle:

Clear Plastic (Essix) Retainers

• Nearly invisible
• Custom-fit to your teeth
• Must be worn nightly to maintain results

Hawley Retainers

• Durable acrylic and wire design
• Adjustable and easy to clean
• Great for younger patients

Fixed (Bonded) Retainers

• Attached to the back of teeth
• Invisible and convenient
• Ideal for patients prone to relapse

We’ll help you choose the retainer that works best for your smile and habits.

Retainer Wear Schedule: What to Expect

Your retainer wear schedule may vary based on your case, but most patients follow a plan like this:

• First 3–6 months: Wear your retainer full time (day and night).
• After 6 months: Shift to nighttime wear only.
• After 1 year: Continue nighttime wear for life to prevent shifting.

Even after many years, teeth can still move—especially with age, grinding, or jaw pressure during sleep. That’s why lifetime retainer use is recommended by orthodontists worldwide.

Tips for Retainer Success

• Store your retainer in its case when not in use
• Clean it daily with cool water and mild soap
• Never wrap it in a napkin—it’s easy to lose or throw away
• Keep it away from heat to prevent warping
• Contact us if it feels tight, breaks, or no longer fits properly
• If your retainer is lost or damaged, call us immediately to avoid unwanted tooth movement.

Keep Your Smile for Life

Orthodontic treatment is a long-term investment in your health and confidence. Whether you used metal braces, ceramic brackets, or Invisalign®, the final results depend on consistent retainer wear.

At Broad Street Braces, our team is here to support your smile journey from start to finish—and beyond. We offer retainer replacements, regular follow-ups, and expert advice to keep your teeth beautifully aligned for life.

Schedule a Retainer Check Today

If you’ve completed treatment and haven’t worn your retainer in a while—or if your current one no longer fits—don’t wait. Contact Broad Street Braces in Philadelphia to schedule a retainer evaluation and keep your smile on track.

Let’s make sure your smile stays as stunning as the day your braces came off!