How Long Must You Wear a Retainer After Braces or Aligners?
Eugene – October 16, 2026 -- Patients who finish braces or clear aligners are advised to keep wearing a retainer, starting with full-time use and later moving to nightly wear, according to a HelloNation article featuring Dr. Ben Thornton of Thornton Orthodontics in Eugene, Oregon.
Why straight teeth still need protection
Many patients assume treatment is over once braces or aligners come off. The article says the retention phase protects results while the surrounding bone and soft tissues stabilize. Retainers hold teeth in their corrected positions and reduce the chance of shifting back toward the original alignment.
Shifting is common after treatment, especially during the first year.