What are retainers?
There are two types of retainers your dentist or orthodontist might recommend: removable retainers, and fixed retainers. Both are designed to be worn after your orthodontic treatment is complete and will ensure your teeth don’t shift back to their original position. Your dentist or orthodontist will discuss options for retainers with you and provide aftercare advice tailored to your needs.
Removable retainers are bespoke moulds made from flexible transparent plastic. They usually need to be worn full-time for 20-24 hours per day for the first few months after your braces are removed, followed by a period of wearing them only at night. After about a year, you might need to wear them for one or two nights per week.
In order to avoid any relapse or movement, it’s crucial to follow your dentist’s advice on how long and when to wear your retainer.
Sometimes referred to as ‘bonded retainers’, a fixed retainer consists of a thin wire attached to the back of your teeth, where it won’t be visible when you speak, smile or eat. Fixed retainers are a reliable and long-term solution to avoid orthodontic relapse, and as they are bonded to the teeth they can’t be lost or forgotten. They will typically be kept in place for two years, but some patients will have them permanently depending on individual circumstances.
How can I get a retainer?
You’ll be given a retainer by your dentist or orthodontist at the end of your treatment, and it will be tailor made to suit your precise needs. The cost will be included in the total cost of your orthodontic treatment, but if you break or lose your retainer, it’s likely you’ll have to pay for a replacement.
Taking care of your retainer
- Avoid eating and drinking anything except water when wearing your retainer
- Remove your retainer by applying gentle pressure to your back teeth on either side, as removing it from only one side can cause it to break
- Replace your retainer with a custom mouthguard when playing contact sports. Your retainer should also be removed while swimming
- Clean your retainer by gently brushing with a soft toothbrush, using warm water and liquid soup. Avoid using hot water. Your dentist may recommend a particular cleaning solution
- If you notice that your retainer is damaged in any way, contact your dentist
- Your dentist or orthodontist will provide advice on how to clean your fixed retainer, as they can be harder to clean than a removable plastic retainer
- You may need to avoid crunchy and sticky foods that can break the retainer wires
- If you notice your retainer is damaged or loose, contact your dentist
If you lose your removable retainer or notice any damage, contact your dentist as soon as possible to get a new one fitted.
Retainers are necessary to keep your teeth straight following orthodontic treatment, and failure to wear your retainer according to your dentist’s instructions can result in your teeth shifting back to their original position.
If you stopped wearing your retainer and have experienced a relapse, it’s possible to undergo orthodontic treatment a second time. Your dentist or orthodontist can advise next steps if required.
After having their teeth straightened, many patients want to further elevate their confident new smile with teeth whitening treatment. At many of our Smiles Dental clinics, we provide two teeth whitening options: in-practice whitening and at-home whitening kits. Contact your nearest Smiles Dental clinic to receive tailored advice on teeth whitening after orthodontic treatment.
If you have had Invisalign aligners, you can ask your dentist about at-home whitening along with your teeth straightening treatment.
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