Congratulations! Your Teeth Are Aligned, But...
Removing your braces or clear aligners is a happy moment. Your smile looks perfect! However, as our doctor explains in the video, there is a critical biological process happening under your gums that you need to know about.
The "2-Year" Bone Rule
Even though your teeth look straight, the bone surrounding them hasn't fully hardened yet. It takes approximately 2 years for the bone to become strong enough to hold the teeth in their new positions on its own. If you stop wearing your retainers during this period, your teeth will try to move back.
Our Double Protection Strategy
At AEG Clinic, we take no risks. We use two types of protection together:
- Fixed Retainer (Permanent Wire): A thin wire attached behind your front teeth. It’s always there, but sometimes it’s not enough on its own.
- Clear Aligner (Essix Retainer): A removable transparent tray (as shown in the video) that you wear at night. This is your safety net.
How Often Should You Wear It? (The Schedule)
To ensure your smile stays perfect forever, follow this timeline:
- First Year: Wear your aligner EVERY NIGHT. No exceptions.
- Second Year: You can reduce it to TWICE A WEEK.
- After 2 Years (Lifetime Check): Don't throw it away! Try it on once a month.
- If it fits easily: Great, your teeth are stable.
- If it feels tight/pressure: Warning! Your teeth have started to move. Wear it every night again until it fits comfortably.
Doctor Explains: Why Teeth Move Back? (Watch)
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