Dental by Design

How long did your orthodontist tell you that you had to wear your retainer?

Looking for answers from people who *recently* had their braces off. I'm an older adult who had a falling out with their orthodontist. Plus, because I got braces so late in life none of my friends remember anything about them or retainers! My braces have been off for over 6 months and I've worn my retainer every day for at least 8 hours. What were you told when you were given your retainer? How long were you told you had to wear it? Thanks.

Public Comments

1. my orthodentist advice that i can only use it for about six months
2. My daughter is 19 and had her braces off last August. She wore her top retainer everyday for the first three months. Then she was instructed to wear them every night, which she is still doing. She has a small retainer attached to the back of her bottom teeth and she will always have to wear it.
3. My daughter is now wearing hers only at night. She had to wear it every day for the first 6 months. I'm not sure how much longer she has to wear them for at night.
4. I was told to wear mine every day for six months. I never really did much though. I have the "Bar" placed on the back of my teeth too thats been in for the last 12 years. Although it's my second one, because I bit the other one off. I didn't like it. I'm going to probably get this one taken off too. I don't give a care if that tooth moves back.
5. I used to work for my orthodontist....he told patients to wear retainers all day every day for at least 3 months, and then you can go to night time only wear every night (if your retainers feel tight when you put them in at night, go back to all day wear for a little bit longer), after a year wear them a few nights a week. again if they feel tight when you put them in wear them more often....but continue to wear them for at least 1-2 nights a week for the rest of your life or your teeth will move back