For people who have worn braces or clear aligners, retainers are an important follow-up. Retainers need to be worn for as long as you wish to maintain your teeth straight after treatment. The most common recommendation is full time wear for six to twelve months and then at night indefinitely. Clemente Orthodontics shares some information about your retainers, to help you keep that beautiful smile!

What Types of Retainers are There?

There are three main types of retainers:

Hawley retainers. These are wire and acrylic retainers that fit the roof of your mouth or the inside of your teeth, but are removable. These retainers are more noticeable than clear retainers, but also more durable. When worn and taken care of properly the Hawley retainers can last for 10-15 years.
Clear plastic or Essix retainers. These are invisible retainers that look much like Invisalign, but they are less elastic and a bit stronger plastic because they work to maintain teeth in final position rather than moving teeth. Clear retainers are very esthetic and easy to remove, but are less durable than wire retainers. They cover the chewing surfaces of teeth so they are indicated for patients who grind at night to protect against tooth wear. Because they wear more easily they need to be replaced more often than wire retainers but they are less expensive to replace.
Bonded or fixed retainers, mistakenly also called permanent retainers. These are a solid or braided wire bonded to the inside of your front teeth. These retainers are fixed and cannot be removed by the patient, however they are not permanent because they are just glued to the teeth and can come unglued when one least expects, so patients with fixed retainers should avoid biting into hard, crunchy and sticky foods with the teeth that are glued to the retainer. Special care must be taken when flossing around the wire to prevent breakage and also maintain healthy gums and bones. Because they are only bonded to the front teeth, they alone can only maintain the position of the front teeth so in order to maintain the full dentition, we still recommend wearing removable retainers at night in addition to the fixed retainers. Fixed retainers are generally left in place indefinitely, but may have to be removed because of gum inflammation issues.

The type of retainer you will get will depend on your orthodontic needs and also your preferences. Our orthodontists will sit down with you and discuss your options when it is time to start the retention phase of your treatment.

How to Wear a Retainer Properly

Fixed retainers are, of course, fixed. With removable retainers, it’s important that you wear them in accordance with your orthodontist’s instructions.

Initially, you will be asked to wear your retainer full time, but you should remove it when eating and to clean your teeth. Typically, this is anywhere between four to six months to twelve months, but it may be as long as a year. After that, you will wear your retainer at night. Every so often a removable retainer may become a bit loose and that is normal. Just give us a ring to schedule an appointment and a member of our team will tighten them up for you. Just remember to bring the retainers along.

If you skip wearing your retainer for a long time, your teeth will shift out of alignment and you may need another round of braces or clear aligner therapy.

How to Take Care of your Retainer

If you have a fixed retainer, you will have to adjust your oral hygiene routine. First of all, you will need to use a floss threader to clean your retainer and teeth. Normal flossing techniques will not work with a bonded retainer.

Make sure to angle your toothbrush vertically to get any food particles that build up around your retainer. Avoid hard foods and gum as they can damage the fixed retainer.

For removable retainers, double check with your orthodontist. You should rinse your retainer in cool water every time you remove it to prevent food buildup from hardening. When not using your retainer, store it in the retainer case provided by your orthodontist. Resist the temptation to wrap it in a napkin or tissue (such as if you are eating out and forgot your case), as then you might leave it behind and it will be thrown away. Don’t leave it in direct sunlight, near a stove or heater, or on top of the tumble dryer or dishwasher. Never eat with a retainer in, as you can damage it. Never leave it anywhere pets could get hold of it…they’re likely to chew it up.

You should also remove your retainer if taking part in sports that involve physical contact, activities with a high risk, or when swimming (a retainer that slips out of your mouth in water is easily lost, especially if transparent).

Brush your retainer every day with a soft toothbrush. Soak your retainer in cool water with baking soda to clean it, or use a specialized cleaning product such as RetainerBrite.

What if Something Happens to Your Retainer?

If you break, damage, or lose your retainer, you should contact our office right away. Most likely we will have you come in for a replacement as soon as possible. If you break a fixed retainer this should be considered a dental emergency, and you should make an appointment as soon as possible to get it fixed.

Don’t use a broken or damaged retainer, as it’s likely to do more damage to your teeth than leaving it out.

Retainers are how you keep that wonderful smile. Always follow your orthodontist’s instructions on how to wear and care for them, and your smile will stay beautiful. Schedule an appointment with us and get the smile of your dreams!