For many people, multiple dental needs will arrive at the same time. One common example is needing to have your wisdom teeth removed sometime after orthodontic treatment. But wisdom teeth removal involves a recovery period. So, can you wear your retainer after wisdom teeth removal? Or do you need to wait? What happens if you do not wear your retainer?
Can You Wear Your Retainer After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Following wisdom teeth removal, patients can expect the usual course of swelling. The severity will depend on your individual procedure. However, most patients will experience several days of notable swelling. Your oral surgeon will provide a full list of instructions, including personalized instructions based on your situation.
One of those instructions will be to avoid wearing your retainer for a few days after wisdom teeth removal. However, the amount of time to go without your retainer will vary. Some patients could start wearing it again within a single day. Others may need to wait for several days.
How Soon Can I Start Wearing My Retainer?
The main reasons to put a pause on your retainer are twofold. First, wearing your retainer could aggravate swelling. Secondly, it simply will be pretty uncomfortable for you. That extra pressure will do you no favors while trying to recover from your surgery.
However, you will want to start wearing your retainer again as soon as possible. The longer you go without it, the more risk your teeth have of shifting.
A Typical Timeline
How soon you can start wearing your retainer will vary. Not only do people heal at different rates, but wisdom teeth removal varies in complexity. Some patients may have a simple procedure with minimal swelling. These patients could begin wearing their retainer within 24 hours.
Other patients may have a complex removal procedure. For example, deeply impacted wisdom teeth require more effort to remove. This can lead to greater swelling that takes several days to fade.
A typical timeline looks like this:
- 1 to 3 days: Most patients will need to avoid wearing your retainer at all. Some patients may feel comfortable resuming retainer use after 24 hours, though. If you can comfortably wear your retainer, you likely should.
- 3 to 5 days: You can try wearing your retainer again, but likely only for shorter periods. Take it back out if you experience notable discomfort. Listen to what your gums and teeth are telling you.
- 7+ days: By this point you likely can resume wearing your retainer as usual without any comfort issues.
Why Is It Okay to Not Wear a Retainer After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
In short, a single period of a few days spent without a retainer should not cause any long-term problems. The priority after wisdom teeth removal will be avoiding complications and healing smoothly. Still, you usually should resume wearing your retainer as soon as discomfort no longer causes issues. Any period of time without wearing your retainer can put your teeth at risk of shifting.
So, to be clear. You can pause wearing a retainer immediately after wisdom teeth removal. But you should resume wearing it as soon as you have healed enough to do so. From there, continue using your retainer as instructed. Doing so will keep your hard-earned smile in great shape.
Will My Retainer Still Fit After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Most patients will notice no issues with their retainer’s fit after wisdom teeth removal. However, keep in mind that residual swelling can affect how it fits. Your face might not look swollen, but this minor swelling can still slightly change the shape of your gums until it fades. If you notice issues in your retainer’s fit beyond a couple of weeks, contact your dentist. Wisdom teeth removal should not cause any lasting changes that influence how your retainer fits.
Always Follow Your Dentist’s Individual Instructions
Your dentist will provide instructions based on your unique situation. They will know the details about your necessary retainer usage and will take that into account.
Never be afraid to ask questions as well. The more you know about your recovery process, the better you can make it. Remember, your dentist should serve as a resource for all things oral health related.
Work With a Top-Tier Smile Specialist
Our dentist at Shodhan Dentistry works closely with each patient to promote a safe experience and a lifelong smile. Call to set up an appointment and see what your orthodontic treatment might look like.
