ProviderEnsuring Lasting Results
The day is finally here – you're done with your active orthodontic treatment! Your new smile is complete, and it's time to start showing it off.
But now that your braces have come off, or you've taken your final set of aligners out for the last time, it's time for the maintenance phase of your treatment. This means wearing a retainer.
At Meldrum Orthodontics, we use Vivera retainers by Invisalign. These clear, removable retainers are produced by Align Technology, the same company that makes Invisalign clear aligners. Vivera retainers are custom-made using advanced 3D imaging technology to ensure a precise fit.
Wearing a retainer plays an essential role in maintaining the results you've achieved with your braces or Invisalign treatment. To help ensure that your treatment results last it is vital that you follow your orthodontist's instructions for wearing your retainer.
Flexible Payment Plans
At Meldrum Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to a healthy smile. We will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget so you will know what to expect before treatment begins.
Why You Need a Retainer
There are two main reasons you need a retainer after your active orthodontic treatment is complete, and they go hand-in-hand: stabilization and prevention.
Throughout the active part of your orthodontic treatment, your aligners or braces were continuously working to move your teeth (including their roots) into their new positions.
Once the roots have moved, the surrounding bone needs time to reform around them and hold them securely in place again. This process will continue for many months after the initial movement of the roots has taken place.
Preserving Your Results
Wearing a retainer helps stabilize your teeth while this happens, giving the surrounding jawbone time to reform and harden around the roots. Your retainer will help prevent your 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 and important commitment for all orthodontic patients. Retainers ensure that your new, straighter smile stays that way after your treatment with braces or Invisalign is complete.
You'll have to wear your retainer full-time for at least three months after your active orthodontic treatment is complete and nightly after that.
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 their retainers if they want their smile to stay straight.
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How often do I have to wear my retainer?
For the first few months of retainer wear after active orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear your retainer 24 hours a day, every day. This is because these early months of the maintenance phase are when your teeth are most likely to shift back to their pre-treatment positions. And we know you don't want that to happen!
During this critical time, you'll take your retainer out only to eat, brush and floss your teeth, or play sports (when you'll need to wear a sports mouth guard instead).
Over time, your teeth will firm into their new positions, and your risk of relapse will decrease. Your orthodontist will be sure to let you know when you can start wearing your retainer for fewer hours a day. For many people, this means overnight retainer wear only.
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How often should I replace my retainer?
With proper care and correct use, most retainers can last for months or years. The following signs indicate that a new retainer might be in order:
Cracks or Chips
If you start noticing chips or cracks in your retainer, it's time to replace it. This type of damage will only get worse over time, and it will also compromise the structural integrity of the retainer, making it less effective.
Poor Fit
Retainers are designed to be sturdy and durable, but they will start to loosen with wear. It's 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're 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?
Always take your retainer out when eating, and you should also take it out if you're drinking hot liquids, or highly pigmented ones, 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 to clean orthodontic retainers?
Clean your retainer at least once daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and some mild, unscented liquid soap. This is an effective way to remove food debris, plaque and bacteria. Rinse the retainer with cool or room temperature water to remove all traces of soap when you're done.
We also suggest soaking your retainer using 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?
To keep your retainer clean and safe when you aren't wearing it, we recommend 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's essential 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 possible.
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'll require more corrective orthodontic treatment to realign them. To avoid this, prioritize wearing your retainer as prescribed.