Quick Answer
It is generally not recommended to go more than 1 or 2 nights without wearing your retainer. Going too long without your retainer can allow your teeth to shift out of alignment, undoing some of the progress from your orthodontic treatment. However, an occasional missed night here and there is unlikely to cause significant relapse. Be sure to put your retainer back in as soon as possible after a missed night. If you find yourself frequently skipping multiple nights, talk to your orthodontist about solutions to make retainer wear more manageable.
What happens if you don’t wear your retainer for 2 nights?
If you skip wearing your retainer for 2 nights in a row, you may start to notice some subtle changes in your teeth alignment, but it is unlikely to be severe. Here is what you can expect after missing 2 nights of retainer wear:
- Your teeth may feel slightly looser or sore when you first put your retainer back in.
- You may notice increased salivation or discomfort as your teeth begin shifting.
- Some spaces may start reopening between teeth.
- Your bite alignment may feel slightly “off.”
- You may have difficulty fitting your retainer back onto your teeth.
The good news is that after just 2 missed nights, your teeth likely have not shifted enough to cause any major setbacks in your progress. Wearing your retainer diligently again should help guide your teeth back into proper alignment. However, if you consistently go multiple nights without your retainer, the risk of undoing your orthodontic work increases.
How long can you go without your retainer before teeth shift?
On average, most orthodontists recommend wearing your retainer full-time for about 6 months after you complete orthodontic treatment. After that, you can typically switch to nightly wear. Going too long without your retainer allows your teeth to drift out of position. Here’s a general timeline of how long you can go without retainer wear before teeth begin to shift:
| Time without Retainer | Effect on Teeth |
|---|---|
| 1-2 nights | Minor shifting may begin |
| 1 week | Noticeable shifting likely |
| 2+ weeks | Major relapse possible |
| 1 month or longer | Teeth return close to original position |
As you can see from the table, going just 1-2 weeks without your retainer can undo a significant amount of progress. After 1 month without wear, your teeth may relapse almost completely back to their pre-treatment positioning.
The exact timeline will vary based on factors like your age, oral habits, and how long you underwent orthodontic treatment. But as a general rule, aim to keep your retainer out of your mouth for no longer than 1 or 2 nights in a row.
Tips for dealing with a missed night of retainer wear
It happens to most people at some point – you’re exhausted and accidentally fall asleep without putting your retainer in. Or you go away overnight and forget to pack it. Here are some tips for getting back on track after missing a night or two of retainer wear:
- Put your retainer back in as soon as you remember and wear it full-time for a few days.
- If your retainer feels tight or uncomfortable, use an orthodontic wax to minimize irritation.
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you have soreness in your teeth.
- Use a chewing gum or put pressure on your teeth with your fingers to help fully seat the retainer.
- If your retainer still won’t fit after a few days, call your orthodontist for an adjustment.
- Ask your orthodontist for a backup retainer to keep at a second location.
- Set phone reminders to help remember nightly retainer wear.
With diligence, you can get your teeth back into alignment after a few nights without your retainer. But if you regularly miss wearing it, the cumulative effect could lead to permanent relapse. Consistency is key when it comes to retainers.
Can you go on vacation without your retainer?
Taking a vacation without your retainer isn’t recommended, but sometimes it can’t be avoided. Here are a few tips if you will be going on vacation without your retainer:
- Ask your orthodontist for a backup retainer to take on vacation.
- Switch to wearing your retainer full-time for 1-2 weeks before vacation.
- Consider getting bonded (permanent) retainers on your top and bottom teeth.
- Bring your case and retainer cleaning supplies so you can wear it at night.
- If missing multiple nights, wear your retainer for an extra 1-2 weeks after vacation.
Ideally, aim to wear your retainer every night even when traveling. But if that is impossible, be diligent about full-time wear before and after your vacation to help minimize shifting. You may also need an adjustment appointment with your orthodontist after being without your retainer for multiple days.
What happens if you don’t wear your retainer for a month?
Going without your retainer for an entire month puts you at high risk for teeth relapse. Here is what you can expect if you stop wearing your retainer for 1 month:
- Your teeth will return close to their original, pre-treatment positions.
- Spaces will reopen between teeth.
- Your bite alignment will be affected.
- You may not be able to fit your retainer back onto your teeth.
- You will lose a substantial amount of progress made with braces or Invisalign.
- You may need new impressions and an updated retainer made.
- You may require braces or aligners again to fix relapse.
After 1 month without your retainer, you essentially undo all the time, money, and effort put into your orthodontic treatment. It can be extremely frustrating and disappointing. In some cases, patients require a second round of orthodontics to re-align teeth after refusing to wear their retainer.
Can teeth shift back completely after braces?
In most cases, yes – teeth are capable of shifting completely back to their original, pre-treatment positions if retainers are not worn consistently after braces.
The teeth are held in their corrected positions by the periodontal ligaments which attach them to the bone. Before orthodontic treatment, these ligaments become stretched and loose over time due to crooked tooth positions.
Braces work by placing gradual pressure on the teeth in order to remodel and realign these ligaments. However, the ligaments still maintain some “memory” of the teeth’s old positions. So given enough time without a retainer, they will pull the teeth back toward their previous crooked alignment.
It is possible for teeth to relapse 100% if retainers are abandoned soon after braces removal. The exact timeline varies by each individual. But in extreme cases, teeth can fully shift back in as little as 6 months without retainer wear.
Can shifted teeth move back into place?
If your teeth have mildly shifted out of place after stopping retainer wear, it is often possible to move them back into proper alignment without starting orthodontic treatment over. Here are some options:
- Wear your original retainer full-time for 1-2 weeks to guide teeth back.
- Undergo a few orthodontic adjustment appointments to reposition teeth.
- Receive new clear aligners to slowly move teeth into place.
- Get bonded (permanent) retainers placed behind teeth.
- Use small metal springs between teeth to apply pressure.
However, if your teeth have severely relapsed, you may require extensive treatment again, such as:
- Full braces
- Headgear appliances
- Gum or jaw surgery
- Extraction of premolars
- Long-term clear aligners
The more your teeth have shifted, the more difficult and time-consuming it becomes to get them back into position. This is why consistent retainer wear is so crucial for maintaining your orthodontic results.
What if you lose your retainer?
Losing your retainer is frustrating, but don’t panic. Here are your options if you lose your removable retainer:
- Inform your orthodontist right away to order a replacement.
- Switch to wearing your old retainer full-time until the new one arrives.
- Request a temporary/backup retainer to wear while waiting.
- Use orthodontic wax to adjust the fit if your old retainer is tight.
- Try to get an expedited replacement made within 1-2 weeks.
- Wear your new retainer full-time once delivered.
The quicker you get a replacement retainer made, the less chance your teeth will have to shift and relapse. Most orthodontists recommend getting a new impression and retainer made within 2 weeks max if you lose your current one. Be diligent about wearing your retainer leading up to and after receiving the replacement.
What if you lose your last retainer?
Losing your last remaining retainer can be worrisome, but action must be taken quickly:
- Call your orthodontist’s office as soon as you notice it’s missing.
- Schedule an appointment immediately to get new molds and order a replacement.
- Explain it is your last retainer and you need something temporary until the new one is ready.
- In the meantime, try wearing your previous retainer even if it’s very tight.
- If you have no temporary options, consider getting a bonded permanent retainer placed.
- Once the new one arrives, wear it full-time for at least 1-2 weeks.
Losing your last retainer can set you up for major tooth relapse if you don’t act quickly to replace it. Be proactive and don’t wait weeks or months before taking action. The sooner you get impressions for a new retainer, the better chance your teeth have of staying aligned.
What are the alternatives to removable retainers?
If you are having difficulty consistently wearing your removable retainer, there are some alternatives to discuss with your orthodontist, including:
Clear aligners:
- Used as removable retention devices at the end of treatment.
- More discrete and comfortable for some patients.
- Can also fix minor tooth relapse.
- Aligners must still be worn consistently.
Permanent retainers:
- Bonded wires fixed behind the front teeth.
- Less compliance required since they are not removable.
- Can make flossing more difficult.
- May need occasional orthodontic adjustments.
Lingual braces:
- Brackets and wires placed inconspicuously on the tongue-side of teeth.
- Allows for adjustable retention.
- Food can get stuck behind wires.
- Still removable by orthodontist when desired.
Discuss the pros and cons of different types of retainers with your orthodontist. Consistent long-term wear is crucial, so select the option you are most likely to keep up with.
Conclusion
While an occasional missed night of retainer wear here and there is unlikely to cause significant relapse, consistently going 2 or more nights without your retainer can allow teeth to shift and undo progress. Try to keep missed nights to a minimum by establishing a diligent oral hygiene and retainer wear routine. If you are really struggling with compliance, talk to your orthodontist about alternative retention options. With discipline and persistence, you can successfully maintain your beautiful new smile.