Many of my friends who have had braces now wear retainers. What are retainers, and if I get braces, will I need to wear a retainer after treatment?

When braces are taken off, teeth can drift out of ideal position if not properly stabilized. Retainers provide rigid fixation to hold teeth in their new ideal locations until the alveolar bones (bones surrounding roots) and gingiva (gums) adapt to the new conditions. Each person is different, and wearing your specific retainers in accordance with your doctor’s instructions not only keeps your smile looking great, but will provide a stable and long lasting result for years on end.