Congratulations! You’ve completed your orthodontic treatment at Boss Orthodontics, and now you have that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. But don’t forget – your journey isn’t over yet. After braces or clear aligners have straightened your teeth, wearing your retainer is essential for maintaining your results. At Boss Orthodontics we remind our patients to wear their retainers “Nighttime for a Lifetime!” This small habit can help secure your smile for years to come.
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is a custom-made dental appliance designed to maintain the position of your teeth. This occurs after braces or clear aligners have moved them into place. While your braces or aligner treatment helps align your teeth, the retainer holds them in their new positions. Like a cast holds a broken limb, you wear them 24/7 for 3 months while the teeth and bone ‘heal’ in their new positions. Then you will switch to night time for lifetime to maintain the result. At Boss Orthodontics, we offer clear retainers for full coverage protection, that are superior to any of the acrylic and wire based alternatives.
What Happens If I Don’t Wear My Retainer?
Failing to wear your retainer can undo all the hard work that went into your orthodontic treatment. Over time, teeth can naturally shift back to their original positions due to continuous pressure from everyday forces. These forces include chewing, biting, tongue posture, or aging related changes in face musculature.
The American Association of Orthodontists explains:
“Teeth can move because the bone that holds them in place continually breaks down and rebuilds. During “active” orthodontic treatment, when teeth are being moved, the orthodontist uses braces or aligners. They deliver gentle, controlled forces to guide teeth into their proper places. But forces are continually at work in the mouth that can move teeth when you bite, chew, swallow, and speak. To counteract these naturally generated forces, continued retainer wear may be advised. Nothing can prevent 100% of tooth movement, but when worn as prescribed, they are the best tool available to minimize movement.” -From the American Association of Orthodontists
If you don’t wear your retainer, you risk your teeth shifting, which could lead to bite issues. This can lead to uneven wear of teeth, cracked teeth, or even more severe issues. Not following through with proper wear would waste the time and money spent on your initial orthodontic treatment.
How Long Do I Need to Wear them?
Immediately after your braces or Invisalign, clear aligner treatment, we generally recommend that you wear your retainer full-time for 3 months. Afterward, you’ll likely transition to wearing it only while you sleep. However, it’s a good idea to keep the habit of wearing your retainer every night to maintain your results.
Wearing your retainer regularly ensures that your teeth remain in their ideal position for the long term. This helps in preserving the beautiful smile you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
How to Wear Your Retainer
To put retainers in, line up retainers with front teeth, then seat them in a front to back direction with finger pressure, go back and forth with fingers to make sure they are fully down.
To remove retainers, always lift the plastic off of the furthest back of tooth ON BOTH SIDES before trying to remove retainer on front teeth. Use a fingernail on the tongue side of the molars or fingernail on both the inside and outside simultaneously, use two hands. Do not remove by only pulling from one side. This could distort the retainer and/or cause it to crack. Do not bite the retainer in position- this can also cause the it to crack. Cracks that appear in the canine-canine area tend to result from improper placement/ removal.
How Long do Retainers Last
Every patient will wear through a set of retainers at different rates, depending on how careful they are with them taking them in and out and if they clench or grind their teeth day or night. Eventually your retainers will need replacing. This happens when they begin to crack or get holes in them.
Tips For Retainer Success
It’s easy to misplace or damage your retainer, especially because it’s small and clear. Here are some tips to help you keep it safe:
- Never bite them into place, they will break
- Always store your retainer in its case when not in use.
- Keep a retainer case with you when you’re out and about.
- Don’t place in your bag or pocket.
- Never wrap them in a napkin – it could accidentally end up in the trash!
- Keep them away from pets – dogs love to chew on them!
- Do not wash them in hot water- they will warp.
- Don’t expose them to high temperatures. Heat can distort its shape, so avoid leaving it near a heater, stove, or in a hot car.
- Invest in some denture or retainer specific cleaning tablets. See our recommended products page.
Invest in Your Smile and Oral Health
At Boss Orthodontics, we know that wearing your retainer is a lifelong commitment. However, it’s a commitment that will pay off. By consistently wearing your retainer as prescribed, you’re investing in your long-term oral health. You are ensuring that your smile remains as straight and beautiful as the day your braces came off.
Skipping this crucial step could lead to wasted time, money, and effort. So, make the decision to protect your smile and keep it looking great for years to come. Retainers need to be replaced frequently- like shoes, socks or glasses, retainers should be replaced every 1-3 years as they wear out.
Would a Retainer Benefit Me Even if I Never Had Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes! We always tell patients, if you like where your teeth are and you don’t want the aging related tooth movements- please wear a retainer at nighttime to keep them where they are. You don’t need to have had any orthodontic treatment at all to have all the benefits of a nighttime retainer: protection of teeth from grinding/ clenching, protection of restorations and maintaining your tooth position. Many of us experience initial age-related movement in college age years then through our 30s-50s. It is cheaper to buy a retainer to lock everything in at 18 than it is to have orthodontic treatment.
Choose Boss Orthodontics for Your Retainer Needs
If you’re looking for an orthodontist who will provide you with top-notch care, look no further than Boss Orthodontics. Dr. ReAnn and Hunter Boss are at the top of their field as board-certified orthodontists.
Whether you’re just finishing up with braces in Bee Cave, Austin or Kyle or considering clear braces or Invisalign for the first time, Drs. Boss will help guide you through the process. At Boss Orthodontics, you’re not just a patient, you’re part of our family!
If you’re needing a new retainer or are interested in starting your orthodontic journey, schedule a free consultation with us today! We’ll provide a thorough examination, digital images of your smile. We will also discuss your treatment options in detail.
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