You’ve worked hard for your beautiful smile — let’s keep it that way!
Your braces are off and your smile looks incredible — but your orthodontic journey isn’t quite finished. Wearing a retainer is essential to preserve your results and keep your teeth in their corrected positions. Retainers prevent unwanted shifting and hold everything in place while the surrounding gums, bone, and muscle fully adapt to the new alignment.
Types of Retainers
Retainers are custom-made and come in removable or fixed styles.
- Traditional removable retainers include a metal wire that wraps across the front teeth and is attached to an acrylic plate resting against the roof of the mouth. The wire can be adjusted to complete minor tooth movements as needed.
- Aligner-style retainers, also called Essix retainers, look like clear aligners and offer a more discreet alternative. This clear retainer may cover the full arch or just canine to canine, and is custom-made from a mold of your newly aligned smile.
- Fixed retainers consist of a wire bonded to the back of the upper and/or lower teeth. Often kept in place indefinitely, they provide long-term stability without any daily effort.
Pros and Cons
- Removable retainers can be taken out for meals and your oral hygiene routine.
- Removable retainers can be easily misplaced — always return yours to its case when you eat or brush.
- A fixed retainer is ideal if you don’t want to track a removable appliance or think about daily wear schedules.
- Teeth with fixed retainers need extra attention during flossing. A floss threader can help guide floss through the small gaps between the retainer and your teeth.
Retainer Instructions
- Wear your retainer at all times until your doctor says otherwise.
- Remove your retainer when eating, and always put it back in its case. (Most are lost in cafeterias or restaurants!)
- Clean your retainer once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste using warm — not hot — water. This removes plaque and prevents odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic cleaners can help but don’t replace brushing.
- When your retainer isn’t in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
- Speech may feel awkward at first. Practice talking, reading aloud, or singing to adjust more quickly.
- Retainers are breakable — handle yours with care. If it’s lost or broken, call us right away.
- If something feels off or your retainer needs adjusting, call us. Never try to adjust it yourself.
- Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
- Replacements can be costly, but with proper care your retainer will last for years.
- Remove your retainer before going swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot cars, pockets, washing machines, and napkins.
