Retainers
What does a retainer do?
When your orthodontic treatment with any type of braces or Invisalign® is complete, you’ll start wearing your custom retainer. Your retainer plays the key role of holding your teeth in their beautiful new position to prevent them from ‘relapsing’.
Your teeth are susceptible to ‘orthodontic relapse’ (reverting back to their original pre-treatment positions) when your braces are removed or you take out your clear aligners for the last time. Your new smile requires a period of retention to ensure that it stabilizes in the proper alignment.
How long will I wear a retainer after braces or clear
At the beginning of your retention phase, you’ll be instructed to wear your retainer full-time for one year. This is how we achieve and maintain the best results!
After about a year, you’ll be able to reduce your wear to nights only. Because teeth have a tendency to shift throughout life, it’s important that you wear your retainer at night, indefinitely.
Types of retainers
There are two types of retainers, removable retainers and fixed retainers.
Removable retainers
Removable retainers are similar to clear aligners. They can be taken out as needed to eat, clean your teeth, and clean your retainer. The most common types of removable retainers are Essix retainers, similar to clear aligners, and Hawley retainers that use an acrylic plate in the center of the palate with metal arms that fit between your teeth.
Fixed retainers
Fixed retainers, or permanent retainers, are bonded to your teeth and remain in place until removed by Dr. Buttram. These retainers include a small metal wire, custom-designed to fit behind the teeth. They’re generally bonded to the back surface of the bottom teeth, but can also be used behind the top teeth depending on your condition.
Retainer Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Do put your retainer in your retainer case every time you remove it from your mouth.
- Do clean your retainer every time you brush your teeth. You can use a mild dish soap and an extra soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your retainer.
- Do clean your retainer case regularly. You want your clean retainer to be placed back in a clean carrying case every time. You can use a mild soap and lukewarm water to wash your retainer case daily, or at least a few times a week.
- Do soak your retainer in a retainer cleaning solution (like RetainerBrite) to disinfect your retainer a few times a week.
- Do clean your retainer before and after placing it in the mouth. Because the material used for fabrication is slightly porous, plaque tends to cling to the surfaces. Be sure to rinse the retainers thoroughly after cleaning to remove any cleanser or soap residue.
Do not
- Do not expose your retainers to heat! Your retainer can melt or warp and become ineffective, so it’s important that you do not put them in the dishwasher, use hot water on them, or leave them in your car.
- Do not leave your retainer around your pets. You don’t want to find out how much they love chewing retainers!
Retainer cost
Your initial set of retainers will be included in your treatment cost!
However, in the event that you lose or break your retainer, there will be a replacement fee. If you lose or damage your retainer, please let us know immediately. We want you to have a new retainer as soon as possible to prevent your teeth from shifting out of place and avoid jeopardizing your hard work.
