Being told to wear a retainer can be daunting. This is because your teeth have issues that require you to wear a retainer. Your dentist may recommend a retainer for your teeth whether or not you have had braces before. Retainers are used to help correct a misaligned bite or to keep your teeth straight.
If your dental problems are minor, the dentist might recommend a removable trainer. However, if they are severe, you will need to get a permanent retainer or surgery. Before you start asking yourself questions like how long does it take to get a retainer, you must first understand what a retainer is.
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is a customized device made of wires or plastic that holds your teeth together in place to ensure they don’t move. Most dentists recommend that you get a retainer after you have had Invisalign, metal braces, or corrective surgery to ensure that your teeth remain straight. It can take up to six months for the new position of your teeth to become permanent. However, in most cases, in order to retain the position of your teeth, you will be forced to wear a retainer for the rest of your life.
How Long Will It Take?
Since you now understand what a retainer is, you may be wondering how long does it take to get a retainer? Being fitted for a retainer usually takes place on the same day your braces are removed. The fitting process is simple, and it takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This means that you may be asked to come back the same day your braces are removed to get your retainer.
A Period of Adjustment
Even though it only takes 30 minutes to get your retainers fitted, you will need a period of adjustment. After a short time, you may realize that you are producing more saliva than usual for a day or so after first wearing the retainer. You may also struggle to talk normally at first, but that problem will disappear soon. If you get removable trainers, you can remove them when eating or brushing your teeth.
You will be required to wear your retainers every night for at least two years following treatment. A general rule you need to understand is that if your retainer feels tight when you put it in, you should wear it more often. It is also not recommended that you go more than a week without wearing the retainer.
Endnote
If you are anxious about getting fitted with a retainer, you can call your dentist and ask any questions you have. For instance, how long does it take to get a retainer is a question a lot of people have. This is because they need to understand how much time they will need to take off from work to undergo this procedure. However, getting fitted with retainers is a simple process that only takes 30 minutes.
Therefore, you don’t need to miss work for multiple days for you to get your retainers fitted.