ProviderMaintain Your New Smile
The day has finally come – your active orthodontic treatment is finally done! Your new smile is complete, and it's time to start enjoying it.
But now that your braces have come off, or you've taken your final set of aligners out for the last time, the important maintenance phase of your treatment begins. This means wearing a retainer.
At Douglas Orthodontics, we prescribe easy-to-use Vivera retainers. These clear, removable retainers are produced by Align Technology, the same company that makes Invisalign clear aligners. Vivera retainers are custom-made using advanced 3D imaging technology to fit your new smile precisely.
Following your orthodontist's instructions for retainer wear is essential to maintaining the results you've achieved with your braces or Invisalign treatment.
Flexible Payment Plans & Financing Options
At Douglas Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to essential health care. To help our patients manage the cost of orthodontic treatment, we offer flexible payment plans and convenient financing with CareCredit.
Why Wearing a Retainer is Vital
There are two main reasons you need a retainer after your active orthodontic treatment is complete, and they go hand-in-hand: stabilization and prevention.
During the active part of your orthodontic treatment, your aligners or braces are continuously working to move your teeth (including their roots) into their new positions. When the roots move, the surrounding bone needs to reform around them to hold them securely in place once again.
This process is going to take some time, so you'll need to be patient. It can continue for many months after the initial movement of the roots has taken place.
Preserving Your Results
Wearing a retainer helps stabilize your teeth while this happens, giving the surrounding jawbone the time it needs to reform and harden around the roots of each tooth. Your retainer prevents your teeth from shifting back to their original positions and undoing all of your months or years of orthodontic treatment.
Retainer FAQs
Learn some retainer basics by reading these frequently asked questions from our patients.
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How long will I need to wear a retainer?
Retainers are a long-term commitment for all orthodontic patients. They ensure that your new, straighter smile stays where you want it once your teeth are in their desired positions.
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).
After a while, 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 a full twelve months. The following signs indicate that your retainer should be replaced:
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 a 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 to clean orthodontic retainers?
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 with when you're not wearing it.
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.