Orthodontic treatment results are not 100% stable. It doesn’t matter how perfectly the case was treated, at least some relapse is bound to occur. When you think about it, all the original reasons for the crooked teeth and/or a malocclusion still exist...just fixing the teeth doesn’t change the genetics and/or malfunctions that are inheritant to a particular individual. So retainers are a necessary consideration of treatment. When the braces come off, there are several options available for retention, including fixed retainers. In any case, full time wear dwindles down to part-time wear, never-the-less retainers are for life even if that translates to a few nights a week or month for life!