Dr Gareth Hargreaves Dentist

A lifelong retention program is needed to maintain the result.

“Relapse” is when the teeth, following straightening, return to the original position. Even with retainers there would likely be a very small amount of relapse but retainers help minimise this and reduce the risk. Relapse is a risk of all teeth straightening, regardless of the brace system used or who completed your treatment and you would need to wear retainers. Additionally, even teeth that have had no tooth straightening can begin to move and become crowded due to age changes.

A lifelong retention protocol to help reduce relapse risk would generally include a fixed bonded wire with a clear removable plastic retainer over the top for night time wear and as back up should the wire break. The clear removable plastic retainers should be worn every night for the first 6 months and then at least 2-3 nights a week, but preferably every night, indefinitely. This rigid double security combination provides the optimum way of reducing the risk of relapse. It will be your responsibility for the regular monitoring of your retainers, and  any updating or maintenance will be an ongoing financial commitment.

During the first 12 month period, new bone is formed around the new tooth positions, and fibres in the gums are remodelling. As such, I would like you to consider the result as unstable during this time, and retention during this first year as very important.  For this reason we offer you a free retainer check every 3 months for the first year. After this, a lifelong retention scheme as previously mentioned is advised and normal check ups with your general dentist at appropriate intervals.