ProviderMaintaining That Straight New Smile
The day is finally here – you're done with your active orthodontic treatment! Your new smile is complete, and it's time to enjoy it.
Now that your braces have come off, or you've taken off your final set of aligners, it's time for the maintenance phase of your treatment. This means wearing a fixed or removable retainer to hold your smile in place.
At Karl Orthodontics, we offer customized, removable retainers that are made of a thin, clear plastic that fits closely over your teeth.
In some cases, we may recommend a fixed retainer which consist of wires bonded to the backs of your front teeth. After orthodontic treatment, our lower front teeth are particularly prone to shifting. That's why we often recommend a fixed wire retainer for the lower teeth.
Retainers are the essential final step in your orthodontic treatment journey.
Flexible Payment Plans & Financing Options
At Karl Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to a healthier smile. To help our patients manage the cost of orthodontic treatment, we offer flexible payment plans.
Why Retainers Are Essential
There are two main reasons why you need to wear a retainer after your active orthodontic treatment is complete: 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. Once the roots have been moved, the surrounding bone needs to reform around them to hold them securely in place once again.
As you can imagine, the formation of new bone takes time. This process can continue for many months after the initial movement of the roots has taken place.
Preserving Your Results
Wearing a retainer stabilizes your teeth while this happens, giving the surrounding jawbone the time it needs to reform and harden around the roots. This prevents the 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 through the answers to these frequently asked questions from our patients.
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How long do I have to wear my retainer?
Retainers are a long-term commitment for all orthodontic patients. They ensure that your new, straighter smile stays right where you want it after your treatment with braces or Invisalign is complete.
You'll have to wear your retainer full-time as instructed 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?
Your orthodontist will likely 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 as instructed by your orthodontist.
Over time, your teeth will settle into their new positions, decreasing your risk of relapse. When your orthodontist determines you're ready, you'll be able to start wearing your retainer for less time. For many people, this means wearing retainers only overnight.
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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?
If you have a removable retainer, always take it 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 toothpaste. 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 as soon as you remember.
Remember, if you don't wear your retainer consistently, 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.