Retainer after braces advice please

[balzamico]

I had fixed braces taken off around 2 years ago, the orthodontist told me to wear the retainer all the time for a couple of weeks (I think) then nightly and eventually reduce to a couple of nights a week.
I don't seem to be able to move on from wearing it every night - if I skip a night or take it out part way through it's really tight the next night- is that normal?
I daren't miss more than the very occasional night for fear of them
moving back!
Do I need a permanent retainer?

My orthodontist told me to continue nightly too, though as I recently broke mine and had to get it fixed I was told it doesn’t have to be worn every night. I tend to do that anyway as like you mine tends to shift even if I only miss a night. Though I have been on holiday/for breaks away and I tend to leave it at home (too much hassle!) and it always seems to fit back into place after, though is a bit tight so I tend to wear it during the day. I’ve had mine off two years and was wondering if I’d ever reduce as much friends/cousins have stopped wearing theirs but they’ve actually had theirs regress and some of them had to go back to braces! I’m sticking to every night

I think you also have the option of a fixed retainer too?

I’m pretty sure I had my too retainer permanently for 6 months then moved to nights only for another 6 months.

I have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth because they were so overcrowded my orthodontist was worried they would move back. It does it’s job but it’s a nightmare to keep clean. I have to use little dental brushes but I get a plaque build up and have to get it cleaned by the hygienist every 6 months to minimise that so think long and hard before going for a permanent one!

Mine was like this! Painful if I even missed a night. Anyway I lost my retainer just before covid do couldn't get a new one for months - my teeth haven't moved at all a year later. I did get them to properly check at my 6 month check up, though! I do have a fixed one on the back as well and it's no trouble at all.

You do need to keep up with regular wear of a couple of times a week. Permanent fixed retainers are an option but it’s harder to floss teeth and you need to brush it well and get it cleaned regularly at the dentist. You also need to avoid eating sticky things like toffee (or eat very carefully) as they can pull the retainer off. All this said, by your teeth my not visually move much. I don’t wear my retainer anymore and whilst they must have moved a little because the retainer no longer fits, they visually still look the same. However it’s a risk you take, some people’s teeth will move a lot.