When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months or until your jaw bones are finished growing. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth. Most patients wear their retainers full-time for the first two to eight weeks (full time is 20-22 hours per day) and during sleep for a long time after the initial full time wear. The exact schedule of wear may be different for each patient, depending on the original problem.