Will a retainer be necessary?

Wearing a retainer after Damon System braces treatment or any orthodontic treatment, is an important step, because it keeps the teeth stable after the active orthodontic appliance is removed at the end of treatment. Without retainers, your teeth would return to their old “crooked ways.” If you want your teeth to remain in their ideal positions for the rest of your life, it would be best to wear your retainer for life. Some orthodontic retainers can be attached to your teeth permanently, called fixed retainers. We usually start with a retainer made of a clear plastic removable material that fits on your teeth like a glove on your hand that can be worn at home and while you are sleeping. After one year the plastic retainer will need to be replaced or a different type of retainer can be used.

Retainers are the cheapest form of insurance around. If you lose your retainer, it is cheaper to replace it IMMEDIATELY than to do your orthodontic treatment over again. As the saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” The corollary to this saying is, “If you lose it, you can’t use it.” If you lose your retainer, you’d better get a new one IMMEDIATELY so you won’t have to “dooz it” over again.