Finishing your time with clear aligners feels like a big win. Your teeth are straighter, your bite is better, and your smile looks how you always wanted it to. After wearing invisible braces for months, it may seem like the hard part is over. But there’s one more important step to keep those results in place, wearing a retainer.

What a Retainer Does

A retainer is a small device made to hold your teeth in their new position. Once the aligners have done their job, your teeth still need time to settle. Without a retainer, your teeth can slowly move back to where they started. This can happen faster than most people think, especially in the first few months after treatment.

Your bones and gums are still adjusting after months of movement. A retainer gives them the support they need while they firm up around the new shape of your smile.

Types of Retainers You Might Get

There are a few types of retainers your dentist might offer. Some are clear plastic, similar to your aligners, and fit snugly over your teeth. Others are made of metal and plastic, sitting across the front of your teeth with a wire. There are also fixed retainers, which are tiny wires placed behind the teeth to keep them from moving.

The type you get depends on your needs and how much movement your teeth had during your time with aligners.

How Long You’ll Need to Wear It

In the beginning, your dentist may ask you to wear your retainer all day and night, only removing it to eat and brush. After a few months, you might switch to only wearing it at night. Some people need to wear their retainers nightly for several years, while others may need it for life to keep their teeth in place.

Skipping it, even for a few nights in a row, can lead to small shifts that undo months of hard work. That’s why keeping up with your retainer is just as important as wearing your invisible braces in the first place.

You worked hard for your new smile, and a retainer helps you keep it. It’s a simple step that doesn’t take much effort, but it goes a long way. If you’re not sure how long you should wear yours, your dentist can guide you based on your teeth and progress.