ProviderRetainers for Smile Maintenance
The day has finally come – you're done with your active orthodontic treatment! Your new smile is complete, and now the focus shifts to maintaining it.
Now that your braces have come off or you've taken off your last set of Invisalign clear aligners for the last time, it's time to shift to the maintenance phase of your treatment.
While your teeth may look perfect, the jawbone is still reforming around the tooth roots' new positions. During this time, they are susceptible to shifting back into their original positions. A retainer will help hold them in place during this time.
At Leone & Vaughn Orthodontics, we use Vivera retainers by Invisalign. These clear, removable retainers are produced by Align Technology, the same company that makes Invisalign. Vivera retainers are custom-made using advanced 3D imaging technology (the same iTero™ scanner that was used at the beginning of your treatment) to ensure a precise fit.
Wearing a retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist is essential to maintaining the results you've achieved with your braces or Invisalign treatment. Our Smile Protection Program makes this part of your treatment easy.
Enroll in Our Smile Protection Program
To help our patients manage costs, our clinics offer the Smile Protection Program. When you enroll, you pay a one-time fee. After that, and for the next seven years, every replacement retainer you may need will only cost $50. It's easy, and it takes the worry out of replacing your retainers.
Why You Need a Retainer
There are two main reasons you need a retainer after your active orthodontic treatment is complete: stabilization and prevention.
While you are undergoing the active part of your orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, the device is constantly working to move your tooth into their new positions. This includes their roots, and as the roots move, the bone around them needs to reform to hold them in place securely again.
This process takes time, and continue for months after your teeth appear to be straightened.
Preserving Your Results
Wearing a retainer helps stabilize your teeth while this happens, giving the surrounding jawbone the time it needs to reform and harden around the roots. This prevents the teeth from shifting back to their original positions and undoing all of your orthodontic treatment.
Retainer FAQs
Learn some retainer basics by reading these frequently asked questions from our patients.
-
How long do I have to wear my retainer?
Retainers are a long-term commitment for all orthodontic patients. Retainers ensure that your new, straighter smile stays that way after your treatment with braces or Invisalign is complete.
-
How often do I have to wear my retainer?
For the first few months after active orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will probably tell you to wear your retainer all day, every day. During these early months after your treatment with braces or Invisalign is over, your teeth are most likely to shift back to their pre-treatment positions.
During this time, you should only take your retainer out to eat, brush and floss your teeth, or when you need to switch to a sports mouth guard while playing sports.
Over time, your teeth will settle into their new positions, and your risk of relapse will decrease. When your orthodontist has determined you're ready, you can start wearing your retainer for fewer hours a day, and eventually, only overnight.
-
How often should I replace my retainer?
With proper care and correct use, most retainers can last for years.
The following signs indicate that a new retainer might be in order:
Cracks or Chips
If you notice chips or cracks in your retainer, it's time to replace it. This type of damage will only get worse over time, and it will also compromise the retainer's structural integrity, making it less effective.
Poor Fit
Retainers are designed to be sturdy and durable. If you notice that your retainer no longer fits properly, it may indicate that your teeth are shifting, likely due to not wearing it as recommended.
Excessive Buildup
You should be cleaning your retainer regularly to keep it in good shape. However, stubborn buildup can occur over time, even with the best hygiene routine. If your retainer has buildup that can't be removed with a thorough cleaning, it should be replaced.
-
Can I eat or drink while wearing my retainer?
You should remove your retainer when eating or drinking anything other than water. Highly pigmented liquids may stain a retainer, and hot drinks may warp it.
-
How do I clean my orthodontic retainer?
Clean your retainer at least once a day with a soft-bristled tooth brush and some mild, unscented liquid soap. This removes food debris, plaque and bacteria.
Rinse the retainer with cool or room-temperature water to remove the soap when you're done.
We also suggest soaking your retainer using specially made retainer cleaning tablets dissolved in water as needed. This can help loosen any stubborn buildup and leave your retainer feeling fresh.
-
How do I store my retainer?
Your retainer will be given to you with a protective case. This case should be used anytime you are not wearing your retainer to protect it from getting lost or damaged.
Always remember to clean and dry your retainer and its carrying case to prevent bacteria from forming.
-
What happens if I forget to put my retainer in?
It's important to wear your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist to ensure that your orthodontic treatment results are maintained.
That said, if you occasionally forget to wear your retainer for short periods of time, you probably have nothing to worry about. Just go back to wearing it consistently as soon as you remember.
Keep in mind that if you don't wear your retainer consistently, there's a chance your teeth could shift out of position, and you'll require more corrective orthodontic treatment to realign them. To avoid this, prioritize wearing your retainer as prescribed.