The Retainers

This is one of the most important parts of orthodontic treatment. It makes your progress permanent and, in most cases, requires a little discipline. Whether you receive a bonded retainer that’s attached to your teeth, a traditional removable retainer, or clear aligners, it’s important to care for your appliance and maintain the results you’ve worked for over the course of your treatment.

Try to wear your retainers at all times, except when brushing your teeth or eating. If you play sports, it’s best to take them out. Busted retainers are fairly expensive to replace and it’s really not fun to get whopped in the mouth with a retainer in. We can recommend some mouth guards, but you’ll still need to remove that retainer. After 12 months of full-time wear, we may revise your retention treatment, so you only have to wear it while you sleep. 

Types of Retainers

• Essix retainers are clear retainers that fit comfortably over the teeth, similar to clear aligners like Invisalign®. They are discreet and easy to snap on and remove.

• Hawley retainers have a single metal wire that sits in front of the teeth and is attached to acrylic material that is molded to fit your smile. They are very durable retainers.

• Bonded lingual retainers cannot be removed by the patient, and the metal wire is created to fit behind the teeth. They are excellent in cases where relapse is likely to occur.

Adjustment Period

Wearing a retainer will take some getting used to, just like wearing braces takes some getting used to. It can be difficult to speak clearly while wearing a removable retainer, and some patients report that they salivate a little more after they put their retainer in the first few times. If you are wearing a removable retainer during the day, we highly recommend getting in the habit of bringing your retainer case with you everywhere you go so it can be stored in a safe place while you eat or brush your teeth. Removable retainers should never be worn while eating, as the food particles and the force from chewing can change their appearance and damage them.

Maintaining Your Retainer

Retainers are an investment, so you will want to keep your retainers in good shape to avoid replacing them early and often. When you wash or soak your retainer in water, make sure that it is not too hot, or it may actually warp or damage the material. You will also want to be careful when brushing clear retainers, as brushing them too hard can scratch the plastic. You can use soap, mouthwash, white vinegar, or denture or retainer cleaners to keep your retainer clean, but avoid using toothpaste, as it’s generally too abrasive for retainers. Since bonded retainers can’t be removed, it’s important to brush and floss around them thoroughly to ensure that your retainer, teeth, and gums are all clean.

Do I have to wear my retainer?

When you first begin wearing a retainer, it may feel a little tight or strange to wear, but it’s very important that you continue wearing your retainer if it’s removable. If you start getting in the habit of not wearing your retainer, your teeth will begin to shift back to where they were before you received orthodontic treatment. Some patients' teeth will shift too much, and they have to start the entire orthodontic process over again to re-straighten their smile. If your retainer feels very uncomfortable or way too tight, please contact our office so we can assess your retainer and teeth to make any adjustments and ensure that your retainer fits properly.

What if I lose my retainer or it doesn’t fit anymore?

If you have recently lost your retainer, we recommend making an appointment with our team as soon as possible so we can take impressions and create a new retainer before your teeth begin shifting. If you stopped wearing your retainer for a long period of time and recently realized that it no longer fits, we can assess the current alignment of your teeth and create a treatment plan from there. The best thing you can do in either of these situations is to get in touch with our office right away so we can be proactive about saving your orthodontic progress and keeping your smile beautiful and straight!