Orthodontic Retainers to Protect Your Smile for a Lifetime
Congratulations on completing your orthodontic treatment! Now that your braces are off, the final, and just as important, phase begins: retention. Wearing your retainers as directed is the key to maintaining your beautiful results and keeping your smile straight for years to come.
We’ll guide you through every step of the retention phase to ensure your teeth stay in their ideal positions.
Why Retainers After Braces or Invisalign Are Important?
Once your braces or Invisalign are removed, your teeth still need time to stabilize in their new positions. The surrounding bone and soft tissues are still adapting, which means there’s a natural tendency for your teeth to shift.
Skipping or inconsistently wearing your retainers can result in relapse, meaning your teeth may move back, undoing all the progress made.
Your commitment to wearing your retainers is what ensures long-term success after orthodontic treatment.
How Long Should You Wear Your Retainers?
The short answer: as long as you want to keep your smile straight.
Here’s what your retention timeline will typically look like:
First 4 to 5 Months Post-Treatment:
Wear your retainers as much as possible, day and night.
Remove only for:
Eating
Brushing and flossing
Playing sports or musical instruments
Special occasions
After Your 4-Month Retention Visit:
Switch to nighttime-only wear, unless directed otherwise by our doctors.
Long-Term Retention Monitoring:
We offer annual retainer checkups to evaluate fit and retention progress.
Wisdom teeth and other factors will be reviewed as needed.
Caring for Your Removable Retainers
Keep your retainers in great shape with these essential care tips:
Keep Them Cool: Never expose retainers to heat over 115°F (hot water, dishwashers, or car dashboards) as it can warp them.
Always Use a Case: When not in your mouth, keep them in a sturdy retainer case.
Protect From Pets: Dogs and cats love to chew on retainers—keep them out of reach!
Clean Gently: Use a soft toothbrush with mild soap, not toothpaste.
Deep Clean Occasionally: Soak in a denture cleaning tablet (e.g., Efferdent) for a thorough cleanse.
Replace as Needed: Your first set is included with treatment. Additional or damaged retainers may require a fee.
Contact Us Immediately if your retainers feel loose, no longer fit, or break—we’ll get you back on track.
Fixed (Bonded) Retainers
For many patients, Dr. Todd Hunt or Dr. Jake Falter recommends fixed retainers, thin wires bonded behind the lower front teeth, especially if there was crowding, spacing, or rotations before treatment.
Prefer not to have a bonded wire? That’s okay. When worn as instructed, removable retainers are just as effective at maintaining your results.
Do You Need Extra Retention?
Certain factors increase the risk of relapse. If any of the following apply to you, our doctors may recommend a more personalized retention strategy:
Mouth breathing
Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Tongue thrusting or low tongue posture
Lip sucking or chewing on objects
Playing wind or reed instruments
Previous large gaps or rotated teeth
We’ll evaluate your individual needs and tailor a plan that keeps your smile healthy, straight, and stable.
Keep Your Smile and Oral Health on Track
Retention isn’t just about keeping your teeth straight; it’s about maintaining your overall oral health, too. Make sure to:
Brush and floss daily
Visit your general dentist every six months
Monitor your retainers and check for signs of wear
Have questions or need to schedule a retainer checkup?
Call our office today, because your confident smile is always worth protecting.