Retainers
A retainer holds your teeth where they ended up after braces or aligners, for anyone who has finished active treatment.
Teeth move for as long as we have them, so they can drift back after treatment. Retainers are how you keep the work. There are two common kinds.
- A removable retainer: a clear tray or a wire-and-plastic one that you wear as directed and take out to eat and clean.
- A fixed retainer: a thin wire glued behind the front teeth, which you do not take out.
Your orthodontist chooses with you, and some people use both.
What happens
- 011 visit
Step 1: Retainer visit
At the end of treatment we take a scan or impressions, and you try your first retainers.
- 02A schedule from your doctor
Step 2: The first months
Most people wear removable retainers more at first and less later, as the doctor directs.
- 03A few visits over a year or more
Step 3: Check-ins
We look at how your teeth are holding and check the fit and condition of the retainers.
- 04Your choice
Step 4: Over the years
Many orthodontists suggest wearing retainers at night for as long as you want your teeth to stay put.
Comfort, other options and what to watch for
Comfort
A new retainer feels tight for the first days. A fixed wire can feel strange against your tongue until you get used to it. Call us if an edge is sharp.
Other options, and skipping
Some people choose not to wear retainers. Teeth can shift without them, and shifted teeth may need another round of treatment. We tell you what we see and leave the decision to you.
Risks
A fixed wire can come loose and trap plaque, and cleaning behind it takes a floss threader. Removable retainers get lost, or bent by heat. Neither works if you do not wear or keep it.
After-care
Clean removable retainers daily, keep them in their case and keep them away from heat and pets. Call us if a wire comes loose, and do not wait for your next visit.
How it is billed
The first retainers are part of the estimate for treatment.
Replacement retainers and repairs are billed on their own, and we give you the fee in writing before we make one.
- The first set is in the treatment estimate
- A written fee before a replacement
Questions about retainers
How long do I wear a retainer?
Your orthodontist gives you a schedule for the first year. After that, many people keep wearing a removable retainer at night, for as long as they want their teeth to stay put.
What if my retainer does not fit?
Call us the same week. A retainer that stops fitting can mean your teeth have moved, and the sooner we look, the more we can do.
Can I get a replacement?
Yes. Call the office and we will tell you what to expect. We give you the fee in writing before we make one.
Retainers here are made and checked by Dr. Gisela Osorio or Dr. Reem Qasim, orthodontists who completed residencies in orthodontics at accredited programs.
Ask about retainers
If your retainer is lost or no longer fits, call the nearest office. Otherwise, send a message and we will get back to you.