After your active orthodontic treatment is complete and braces are removed, retainers are essential to stabilize your newly aligned teeth. Retainers help ensure that your teeth remain in their optimal position while the surrounding bone and soft tissues adjust and stabilize.
Why Are Retainers Important?
Even after braces are removed, your teeth can continue to shift. This is why wearing retainers as instructed is crucial for maintaining your results. Failing to wear retainers may cause undesirable tooth movement, potentially requiring re-treatment.
How Long Should Retainers Be Worn?
While your orthodontic treatment gives you a beautifully aligned smile, the journey doesn’t stop there. Teeth can move throughout your lifetime, which is why it’s important to continue wearing your retainers. Here at Lewisburg Orthodontic Associates, we say retainers are “Night time for a lifetime.”
Tooth movement is part of the aging process, so retainers are critical to keeping your teeth straight and aligned. As you age, the muscles surrounding your teeth may tighten, potentially shifting your teeth or causing crowding. Regular retainer use will help keep your smile intact. We recommend nightly wear of your removable retainers indefinitely.
How to Care for Your Retainers
Proper care and maintenance of your retainers will ensure their longevity and effectiveness. Here are some important tips:
- Keep Retainers Away from Heat: Retainers are made of thermoplastic material, which can warp or melt under excessive heat. Keep them away from heaters, dishwashers, and car dashboards.
- Store Properly: When not in use, store your retainers in a retainer case to protect them from damage. Be sure to keep them away from pets, as they are often attracted to chew on them.
- Clean Regularly: Clean your retainers before and after wearing them. Since the material can be slightly porous, plaque can build up over time. Use a toothbrush with mild liquid soap to scrub them gently.For more thorough cleaning, you can use a denture cleaning solution like Efferdent to remove plaque and tartar. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any residue.
- Replacement: Retainers are built to last, but they will eventually need replacement. Your treatment plan includes one set of retainers after your braces are removed. If your retainers become lost or damaged due to neglect, there may be a charge for replacement. Contact our office if your retainers become loose or break.
Fixed Retainers (Bonded Wire)
Fixed retainers, also known as bonded wires, are designed to stay in place permanently. Many of our patients choose this option to help maintain their new smiles.  However, if your family dentist notices signs of gum or bone issues due to poor cleaning, the wire may need to be replaced with a removable retainer. During regular checkups, your family dentist should monitor the health of your fixed retainer to ensure it’s working effectively.
Conditions That Require Stronger Retention
Certain habits or conditions may require additional retention to maintain your results:
- Mouth breathing
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Tongue thrusting, low tongue posture, or abnormal tongue posture
- Playing a musical instrument with a reed
- Lip sucking
- Pen or pencil biting
- Spacing between teeth before treatment
- Severely rotated teeth
If any of these conditions apply to you, we will discuss retention options with you and may recommend a stronger retention plan to keep your teeth healthy and properly aligned.
Ongoing Care and Checkups
To keep your smile looking great, continue practicing good oral hygiene at home. Be sure to brush and floss thoroughly every day. We also recommend seeing your family dentist every six months for regular cleanings and dental exams. This will help maintain not only your smile but also your overall oral health.
