ProviderEnsuring Lasting Results
Congratulations, your active orthodontic treatment is complete, and your smile looks great. Now it's time to make sure that smile stays right where you want it.
Once your braces have come off or you have removed your final set of aligners, it is time for the maintenance phase of treatment. This means wearing a removable or fixed retainer to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their misaligned positions.
You will begin the retainer phase of treatment with a pair of clear retainers we make in-house, usually the same day! Then, using your digital model, we will fabricate a sleeker set of clear retainers that you'll receive a few weeks later. These two sets of retainers are included in your original treatment fee as Dr. Diane believes that retention is the most important phase of your treatment.
Fixed retainers consist of wires bonded to the backs of your front teeth. The lower front teeth are particularly prone to shifting throughout adulthood. These retainers are more optional and are great for those whose initial alignment was particularly difficult, had weakened gum and bone support, are super busy, or struggle with proper routine wear. Retainers are forever!
Remember, if we can align teeth at any age, and you use your teeth daily, they can shift. We're here to support you.
Enroll in Our Smile Protection Program
To help our patients manage costs, we're pleased to offer our Smile Protection Program. When you enroll, you pay a one-time fee to get replacement retainers over seven years. It's easy, and it takes the worry out of replacing your retainers.
Why Retainers Are Important
There are two main reasons why wearing a retainer after orthodontic treatment is essential: stabilization and prevention.
Stabilizing Teeth As Surronding Bone Regrows
During treatment, your braces or aligners continuously worked to move your teeth (including their roots) into their new positions. When the roots move, the surrounding bone needs to reform to hold them securely in place once again.
This can continue for many months after treatment is complete. Your retainer holds your teeth in place, allowing the bone to strengthen around the roots, keeping teeth securely in place.
Preserving Your Results
Wearing your retainer to stabilize your teeth also prevents them from shifting back out of place before the bone has fully reformed. This means that your retainer protects your new smile, ensuring that your results will last.
Retainer FAQs
Learn some retainer basics by reading these frequently asked questions from our patients.
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How long do I have to wear my retainer?
Retainers are a long commitment for all orthodontic patients. Retainers ensure that your new, straighter smile stays that way after your treatment with braces or Invisalign is complete.
You'll have to wear your retainer full-time for at least three months after your active orthodontic treatment is complete, and nightly after that.
Even people who have never had orthodontic treatment will experience their teeth shifting over time; orthodontic patients are even more prone to this and should wear retainers for as long as they want straight teeth.
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How often do I have to wear my retainer?
For the first few months of retainer wear after active orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear your retainer 24 hours a day, every day. This is because these early months of the retention phase are when your teeth are most likely to relapse (shift back to their pre-treatment positions).
During this time, you'll take your retainer out only to eat, brush and floss your teeth, or play sports (when you'll need to wear a sports mouth guard instead).
Over time, your teeth will settle into their new positions, and your risk of relapse will decrease. When your orthodontist has determined you're ready, you'll be able to start wearing your retainer for fewer hours a day. For many people, this means overnight retainer wear only.
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How often should I replace my retainer?
With proper care and correct use, most retainers can last for years.
The following signs indicate that a new retainer might be in order:
Cracks or Chips
When you start noticing chips or cracks in your retainer, it's time to replace it. This type of damage will only get worse over time, and it will also compromise the structural integrity of the retainer, making it less effective.
Poor Fit
Retainers are designed to be sturdy and durable, but they will start to loosen over time with wear. It's important to replace your retainer if you notice that the fit is loose, because at that point, it is no longer effectively supporting your teeth.
Excessive Buildup
You should be cleaning your retainer regularly to keep it in good shape. However, even if you're doing this, stubborn buildup can occur over time. If your retainer has buildup that can't be removed with a thorough cleaning, it should be replaced.
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Can I eat or drink while wearing my retainer?
You should always take your retainer out when eating, and you should also take it out if you're drinking hot liquids, or highly pigmented ones, to prevent the retainer from getting warped or stained, respectively.
You can drink water while your retainer is in, however.
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How do I clean my orthodontic retainer?
Clean your retainer at least once daily with a soft-bristled tooth brush and some mild, unscented liquid soap. This removes food debris, plaque and bacteria. Rinse the retainer with cool or room temperature water to remove the soap when you're done.
We also suggest soaking your retainer using specially made retainer cleaning tablets dissolved in water as needed. This can help loosen any stubborn buildup and leave your retainer feeling fresh.
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How do I store my retainer?
When you're not wearing or cleaning your retainer, it's important to store it somewhere safe so it doesn't get lost or damaged. We recommend storing your retainer in the case it comes in any time it's not in your mouth.
Always remember to clean and dry your retainer and its carrying case thoroughly first, to prevent bacteria from forming.
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What happens if I forget to put my retainer in?
It's important to wear your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist to ensure that your orthodontic treatment results are maintained.
That said, if you occasionally forget to wear your retainer for short periods of time, you probably have nothing to worry about. Just go back to wearing it consistently as soon as you remember.
Keep in mind that if you don't wear your retainer consistently, there's a chance your teeth could shift out of position, and you'll require more corrective orthodontic treatment to realign them. To avoid this, prioritize wearing your retainer as prescribed.