Now that you’ve achieved a gorgeous smile, it’s vital that you wear your retainer to preserve it! Learn about how retainers work, types of retainers, and tips for maintaining your smile.
Why Are Retainers Necessary?
Everyone needs a retainer after braces, no matter the complexity of your case. The retention stage is crucial because it allows you to maintain your new smile to stand the test of time. Once you are ready, our docs will help you begin the retention stage of treatment.
After completing your initial treatment, it can take 4 to 6 months for the position of your teeth to become permanent. Without retainer use, straight teeth can gradually drift back towards their initial alignment. Wearing retainers helps to protect your smile and investment.
Although you won’t be visiting us at our office anymore, your treatment’s retention phase is vital to your treatment results’ long-term stability. It is extremely important to wear your retainers as directed.
Types of Retainers
There are two types of retainers: removable and permanent. In our office, we recommend all patients start retainer treatment with a permanent retainer that is bonded to the back of their lower six front teeth. This retainer is included in your treatment price.
In addition to your permanent lower bonded retainer, we recommend a removable retainer for your uppers and lowers.
Discover more about our retainer options below!
Lower Bonded Retainer
A flat, flexible wire that is bonded to the backside of your front six lower teeth. The wire is not removable and is not visible while speaking or smiling. This type of retainer is advisable for patients with good oral hygiene. Bonded retainers serve as an additional layer of protection to keep teeth from shifting. Your removable Essix or Vivera retainer will fit on top of the lower bonded retainer.
Retainer Guarantee Program
This option is a 10-year plan with a one-time enrollment fee. Upon braces removal, the patient will receive one set of Vivera retainers. Vivera retainers, produced by Align Technology are more durable and the best plastic. This is the more ideal option for those who clench and grind. Any time retainers are lost, damaged, thrown away, etc. they can be replaced for a $25 copay (per arch). If a patient opts out of this program, the retainers will cost $350-$500 per set. That is $3500-$5000 over the next 10 years if retainers were lost or damaged every year.
Retainer Care
Like braces, retainers are an investment in your oral health, and you want to ensure that you are correctly taking care of them so they last a long time. Caring for your retainer is important for many reasons! These include oral hygiene, protecting your smile, and keeping your retainers from cracking or breaking.
Removing Your Retainers
- Take your retainers out every time you eat, brush your teeth, go swimming, or play sports that require a mouthguard.
- When taking out your retainers, make sure you wash your hands and pop the retainer out with both hands simultaneously from the back. Be careful: sometimes using one hand can cause the retainer to crack as too much force or bend is applied to one side.
- Remove your retainers when drinking sugary or acidic beverages; keeping the retainers in will trap the liquid, which could cause enamel decalcification.
- Every time you remove your retainers, store them in the case that was provided to you. Do NOT put your retainers in a napkin or on a lunch tray – it will likely get thrown away!
- Ensure your retainers are kept away from areas that become hot, such as microwaves, washers and dryers, stoves, car dashboards, and dishwashers.
Pets like the smell of the saliva and will chew on them if they can, so keep your retainer away from dogs and cats.
How to Clean Your Removable Retainers
After brushing your teeth, apply a small bead (smaller than the size of a pea) of toothpaste on your toothbrush, and gently but thoroughly brush your retainers before putting them back in. Clean your retainers on a monthly basis by using one of the following methods:
- Retainer Brite Cleaning Tablets: These can be found online or at many major retailers.
- Equal Parts Water and White Vinegar: Soak your retainers in this mixture for
20-30 minutes, then rinse well before putting them back in your mouth. Do not use boiling water. - Brushing your retainers with your normal toothpaste and toothbrush.
To keep your retainers tasting fresh, you can soak them in mouthwash diluted with water for about 10 minutes.
How to Clean Your Removable Retainers
After brushing your teeth, apply a small bead (smaller than the size of a pea) of toothpaste on your toothbrush, and gently but thoroughly brush your retainers before putting them back in. Clean your retainers on a monthly basis by using one of the following methods:
- Retainer Brite Cleaning Tablets: These can be found online or at many major retailers.
- Equal Parts Water and White Vinegar: Soak your retainers in this mixture for
20-30 minutes, then rinse well before putting them back in your mouth. Do not use boiling water. - Brushing your retainers with your normal toothpaste and toothbrush.
To keep your retainers tasting fresh, you can soak them in mouthwash diluted with water for about 10 minutes.
Bonded Retainer Guidelines
- Your retainer has been attached to your teeth with a strong and durable adhesive. However, eating hard or chewy foods may break the bonded retainer off your teeth. Be careful when eating as you were when you had braces on your teeth.
- Spend more time and effort brushing this part of your mouth.
- Keep your retainers away from areas that become hot, such as microwaves, washers and dryers, stoves, car dashboards, and dishwashers.
- Be sure to floss your retainer after meals. Use floss threaders, proxy brushes, or special floss made specifically for braces. Thread it between the teeth and the bonded retainer.
If you notice your teeth shifting, your bonded retainer may be loose. Call our office promptly so we may schedule an appointment to have it rebonded.
Get A Retainer Appointment Near You
Please be sure to bring your retainers with you to all of your retainer check appointments so that we can check them in your mouth. If you break or lose your retainer, give us a call right away – you don’t want to give your teeth a chance to move! Lost or broken retainers can be replaced for a fee.
Schedule an appointment with the experienced professionals at Bovenizer & Baker Orthodontics now!
