Book Now
09 2166 888

Retainer vs. Braces: What’s the Difference and Why Both Matter?

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment in New Zealand, you’ve likely encountered two terms that often cause confusion: braces and retainers. While they’re both essential parts of achieving and maintaining a beautiful smile, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the distinction between braces vs retainer can help you set realistic expectations and ensure your investment in orthodontic treatment lasts a lifetime.

What Are Braces?

Braces are the active phase of orthodontic treatment. They’re designed to move your teeth into their ideal positions by applying continuous, controlled pressure over time.

How Braces Work

Whether you choose traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or modern alternatives, the principle remains the same: brackets are bonded to your teeth and connected by wires that are periodically adjusted to gradually shift your teeth into alignment. This process typically takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of your case.

Braces address a wide range of orthodontic issues, including:

  • Crowded or overlapping teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Overbites, underbites, and crossbites
  • Jaw alignment problems

What Are Retainers?

Retainers are the maintenance phase of orthodontic treatment. Once your braces have done their job of moving your teeth, retainers hold them in their new positions while the surrounding bone and tissues stabilize.

How Retainers Work

After your braces are removed, your teeth are in their corrected positions, but they’re not yet settled. The bone around your teeth needs time to rebuild and strengthen in the new configuration. Without a retainer, your teeth will naturally drift back toward their original positions—a process called orthodontic relapse.

Retainers come in several types:

  • Fixed retainers: A thin wire bonded to the back of your teeth, providing permanent support
  • Removable retainers: Clear plastic retainers or wire retainers that you can take out for eating and cleaning
  • Combination approach: Many patients benefit from both fixed and removable retainers

Do I Need Both Braces and Retainers?

The short answer is yes. Here’s why both orthodontic phases are essential.

Braces Create the Change

Braces are your transformation tool. They’re responsible for the dramatic improvements you see in the mirror—straightening crooked teeth, closing gaps, and correcting your bite. Without braces (or an alternative like clear aligners), you simply can’t achieve significant tooth movement.

Retainers Protect Your Investment

Retainers are your protection plan. Research shows that without proper retention, up to 70% of orthodontic patients experience some degree of relapse within the first year after treatment. That means all the time, effort, and investment you put into braces could be partially or completely undone without consistent retainer wear.

Think of it this way: braces are like building a house, while retainers are like maintaining that house. You wouldn’t invest in building a beautiful home and then neglect its upkeep, would you?

Why Retention Is a Lifelong Commitment

Many patients are surprised to learn that retention isn’t just a temporary phase—it’s a lifelong commitment. Here’s what the science tells us:

Your Teeth Never Stop Moving

Even without orthodontic treatment, teeth naturally shift throughout your life. Factors like aging, wisdom teeth eruption, tooth grinding, and even tongue pressure can cause your teeth to move. After orthodontic treatment, your teeth are particularly susceptible to movement during the first year, but the potential for shifting never completely disappears.

The New Zealand Orthodontic Perspective

Orthodontists in New Zealand follow international best practices that emphasize the importance of long-term retention. The New Zealand Association of Orthodontists recommends that patients wear retainers indefinitely to maintain their results—typically full-time for the first few months after braces, then transitioning to night-time wear.

Common Questions About Braces vs. Retainers

Can I Skip Braces and Just Use a Retainer?

No. Retainers don’t move teeth—they only hold them in place. If your teeth need straightening, you’ll need an active treatment phase with braces or clear aligners first.

What Happens If I Stop Wearing My Retainer?

Your teeth will begin to shift back toward their original positions. The speed and extent of this movement varies by individual, but most patients notice changes within weeks or months of stopping retainer wear.

How Long Do I Need to Wear My Retainer Each Day?

This depends on how long it’s been since your braces were removed. Initially, you’ll likely wear your retainer full-time (20-22 hours per day) for several months. After your orthodontist confirms your teeth are stable, you’ll transition to night-time wear only—but remember, this is typically a permanent arrangement.

Are There Different Retainer Options in New Zealand?

Yes. At Shakespeare Orthodontics, we offer both fixed and removable retainers. We’ll help you choose the best option based on your lifestyle, the complexity of your original treatment, and your personal preferences.

The Complete Orthodontic Journey

Understanding that braces and retainers are two essential phases of the same journey helps you appreciate why both matter. Your treatment doesn’t end the day your braces come off—that’s actually when the maintenance phase begins.

Phase 1: Active Treatment (Braces)

  • Duration: 12-24 months on average
  • Goal: Move teeth into correct positions
  • Appointments: Every 4-8 weeks for adjustments

Phase 2: Retention (Retainers)

  • Duration: Lifelong
  • Goal: Maintain corrected positions
  • Appointments: Initially every 3-6 months, then annually

Protecting Your Smile Investment

Your orthodontic treatment represents a significant investment of time and money. The good news is that the retention phase is much easier than the active treatment phase—no dietary restrictions, no difficulty cleaning your teeth, and minimal impact on your daily life.

By committing to both phases—active treatment with braces and lifelong retention—you’re ensuring that your beautiful, healthy smile lasts a lifetime.

Ready to Start Your Orthodontic Journey?

At Shakespeare Orthodontics, we believe in setting clear expectations from the start. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll explain exactly what to expect during both the braces and retention phases of your treatment. We’ll create a customized plan that addresses your specific needs and includes a comprehensive retention strategy to protect your results.

Don’t let confusion about braces vs retainer hold you back from getting the smile you deserve. Book a braces and retention consultation today to learn more about how we can help you achieve—and maintain—your perfect smile.

Contact Shakespeare Orthodontics
Ready to discuss your orthodontic options? Our experienced team is here to answer all your questions about braces, retainers, and maintaining your smile for life. Book your consultation online or call us today to get started.

NEXT READ

Living in Epsom – A Guide to Auckland’s Leafy Suburb

Dr. Adriana Perez

BDS (Ven/Esp) | MDS-Orth (Arg)
 
Dr. Adriana Perez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland.

 

In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.

In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-born, children, and adolescent patients.

Adriana is a Spanish speaker. On her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.

Linkedin
Orthodontist Adriana Perez

Dr. Azza Al-Ani

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore. 

In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.

She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.

Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.

In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association.

Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia.
She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo mountain biking.

Waiheke Island

Dr. Mo Al-Dujaili

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.

After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.

During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.

Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.

A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).

Mo is currently a part time senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists and also holds professional memberships with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.

He has also been involved in the supervising and lecturing of students at the Auckland University of Technology.

Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.

Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.

 
Linkedin
Mo holding a large snapper