Will I Need a Retainer After Orthodontic Treatment?

In this video, Dr. Karen Becerra Penagos explains why retainers are a required step after braces or aligners, and how they protect the time patients already invested in straightening their teeth.

After orthodontic treatment is complete, patients will need to wear a retainer. Teeth naturally try to shift back toward their original positions because the ligaments around them are still adjusting after movement.

Wearing a retainer helps hold the teeth in their new positions while those tissues stabilize. Typically, retainers are worn for about a year, but in some cases, longer use may be necessary to maintain the results.

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