Retainers: do I really need to wear them forever?

How much you need to wear your retainer depends on your individual biology. We can’t tell for sure whose teeth will relapse after braces or Invisalign, but there are clues.

• Wisdom teeth: be extra careful while wisdom teeth are developing. Have your dentist check them — if they are impacted or there is no room, they may crowd your other teeth.
• How crowded were your teeth to start? The more crowded at the beginning, the more teeth tend to move back.
• Did you have spaces? Spaces love to reopen. If spaces start opening, wear your retainer; if they keep getting bigger, see your orthodontist.

Wear retainers nightly for the first year. Then cut back to every other night. Teeth staying straight? Try every third night, and keep tapering. If teeth move when you skip nights, you may need to keep wearing it nightly. Check with your orthodontist if you’re not sure.