Retainers for Lasting Smiles
You’ve finally finished your active orthodontic treatment. Congratulations! Now it is time to care for your results with a retainer, so that your teeth stay right where you want them.
There are a variety of retainer styles available at Surrideo Orthodontics, including:
- Clear aligner-style retainers that fit over your teeth to hold them firmly in place.
- Fixed retainer wires that are bonded to the backs of front teeth to help hold them in position.
- Removable retainers with an acrylic arch and a metal wire around the teeth.
These essential devices are the final step in your orthodontic journey, and our Retainer Replacement Program makes this phase easy.
Enrol in Our Retainer Replacement Program
To help our patients manage costs, we are pleased to offer our Retainer Replacement Program. When you enrol, you pay a one-time fee to get unlimited replacement retainers over seven years. It is easy, and it takes the worry out of replacing lost or broken retainers.
The program applies to removable clear retainers only (not fixed lingual retainers, Hawley retainers, etc.)
Why You Need a Retainer
There are two main reasons you need to wear a retainer after your active orthodontic treatment: stabilization and prevention.
During the active part of your orthodontic treatment, your aligners or braces are continuously working to move your teeth (including their roots) into their new positions. When the roots move, the surrounding bone needs to reform around them to hold them securely in place once again. This process continues for many months after the initial movement of the roots has taken place.
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 months or years of orthodontic treatment.
Retainer FAQs
Learn some retainer basics by reading these frequently asked questions from our patients.
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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.
Even people who have never had orthodontic treatment will experience their teeth shifting over time; orthodontic patients are even more prone to this and should wear retainers for as long as they want to maintain their treatment results.
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How often do I have to wear my retainer?
Our orthodontists advise patients on how often they will need to wear their retainer, as it varies per treatment.
Retainers can conveniently be removed when you need to eat, brush or floss your teeth, or play sports (when you will need to wear a sports mouth guard instead).
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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
When you start noticing chips or cracks in your retainer, it is time to replace it. This type of damage will only get worse over time and may compromise the structural integrity of the retainer, making it less effective.
Poor Fit
Retainers are designed to be sturdy and durable, but they can loosen over time with regular wear. It is important to replace your retainer if you notice that the fit is loose, because at that point, it is no longer effectively supporting your teeth.
Excessive Buildup
You should be cleaning your retainer regularly to keep it in good shape. However, even if you are doing this, stubborn buildup can occur over time. If your retainer has buildup that can't be removed with a thorough cleaning, it should be replaced.
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Can I eat or drink while wearing my retainer?
If you have a removable style of retainer, you should always take it out when eating, and you should also take it out if you are drinking hot or highly pigmented beverages, to prevent the retainer from getting warped or stained.
You can drink cool water while your retainer is in, however.
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How do I clean my orthodontic retainer?
Clean your retainer at least once daily 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 are 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.
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How do I store my retainer?
When you are not wearing or cleaning your retainer, it is important to prevent it from getting lost or damaged by storing it in the case it comes with.
Always remember to clean and dry your retainer and its carrying case thoroughly first, to prevent bacteria from forming.
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What happens if I forget to put my retainer in?
It is 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 will require more corrective orthodontic treatment to realign them. To avoid this, prioritize wearing your retainer as prescribed.