Will I recover after orthodontic treatment? This is a problem that many patients and their parents worry about. After the treatment is almost over, the doctor will make retainers according to the patient’s condition to maintain the resulting orthodontic effect, and as long as you insist on wearing them, there is usually no relapse. The main reasons for relapse after orthodontic treatment are: (1) the final alteration of the facial muscular balance has not been completed During the formation of malocclusion, many tissues of the muscular system produce a muscular dynamic balance that is compatible with the malformation. The completion of malformation morphology correction often precedes the functional and dynamic remodeling, and the new morphology may also be affected by the old dynamic balance in an unstable state leading to relapse. (2) The tension of periapical muscle fibers has not been restored to equilibrium After orthodontic treatment of malocclusion, widening of the periodontal gap and twisting of periodontal fibers are normal, and until they have established a new equilibrium, the teeth are unstable in their new position, especially the twisted teeth, and the tension of gingival connective tissue and periodontal membrane fibers must be maintained until a new equilibrium is established. (3) Unbroken bad oral habits Bad habits can lead to abnormal muscle dynamics balance and are an important causative factor for malocclusion. If the original bad oral habits persist after correction, it may cause recurrence. (4) Upper and lower teeth occlusion is not yet balanced The occlusal relationship of teeth is the most powerful factor for the stability of teeth in their new position. The new occlusal state requires continuous tooth wear or manual adjustment to achieve a good contact relationship between the cusp bevels. During its self-adjustment process, the malocclusion has a tendency to recur. (5) The eruption of wisdom teeth Wisdom teeth (third molars) anteriorly and horizontally blocked have the force of pushing forward, which can lead to the recurrence of malformation. (6) Influence of growth pattern Different individuals have their own specific growth trend, and this trend is the growth pattern. Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment in the early stages of permanent dentition are still in the growth phase when the treatment is over, and the jaws still grow in the same way, and the continuation of this growth pattern causes instability in the orthodontic results. So, how do I wear a retainer? The duration of retainer wear is influenced by a number of factors, including the patient’s age, health status, the cause of the misalignment, the type of misalignment, the timing and method of treatment, the patient’s growth pattern, etc., and thus the duration of retention varies considerably. The doctor will develop a retention plan based on each patient’s condition. In general, retainers are usually worn for more than 2 years, during the first year, day and night, with only brief periods of time when eating, brushing, and cleaning the retainer, then every night for the second year, and every other night for the next 3-6 months, until the teeth are mostly stable. During the period of wearing the retainer, the doctor will make regular follow-up visits every three months or so, and will give advice based on the individual’s wearing condition and the degree of stability of the teeth to prevent relapse.