If you want to keep your teeth straight after your braces are removed, you need to wear retainers. These devices help keep your teeth in their correct position for many years.
What Is a Retainer?
A retainer is a custom-made appliance in the form of a tray that is worn over the teeth. It helps hold the teeth in their new, correct position after orthodontic treatment with braces.
Even after braces have aligned the teeth, they are not permanently fixed in their new position. Teeth are likely to shift back to their original position after braces are removed because the gums, bones, and muscles have not yet adapted to the changes. The gums become weakened during orthodontic treatment. After the braces are removed, they do not immediately tighten and therefore do not effectively resist tooth movement.
Everyday habits such as chewing and teeth grinding also affect the teeth and may cause them to shift. Tooth movement can additionally lead to bite problems. Wearing retainers helps keep the teeth in the correct position and prevents them from moving.
Only a small number of patients do not need to wear retainers after braces.
Types of Retainers
There are two main types of retainers: fixed and removable.
Fixed, or permanent, retainers are bonded to the teeth using dental adhesive. This type of retainer cannot be removed by the patient.
Removable retainers can be inserted into and removed from the mouth.
Traditional (Hawley) retainers consist of wire and plastic or acrylic.
Clear (Essix) retainers are also made of plastic, but they are nearly invisible when worn. Both options are custom-made to fit your teeth.
How Are Retainers Made and Fitted?
The manufacturing process depends on the type of retainer.
To fabricate removable retainers, an impression of the teeth must be taken using a special material similar to putty. The material is placed into special trays, which are then used to create impressions of the teeth. These impressions reflect a person’s unique bite and tooth arrangement. Taking an impression of the mouth usually takes one to two minutes. A dental laboratory uses the impression to create plastic (or acrylic) retainers.
Many dental offices now use digital impressions. During this process, the dentist uses a handheld scanner to capture images of the teeth and gums. Computer software then combines these images to create a three-dimensional model of the jaws.
To place a fixed retainer, the dentist uses a metal wire that is bonded to the back surfaces of the teeth with dental adhesive. This procedure is more complex and takes longer than taking impressions for removable retainers. However, you leave the dental office with the retainer already in place and do not have to wait for a laboratory to fabricate the appliance.
Patients at Yarema Dental Clinic in Kyiv quite often choose fixed retainers. They are particularly recommended for patients with a high risk of tooth relapse and repeated tooth movement.
Is It Painful to Wear Retainers?
Retainers should fit snugly on the teeth while remaining comfortable.
You may experience some discomfort if you have not worn your removable retainer for a period of time and then start wearing it again. Discomfort may also occur if the appliance becomes damaged or cracked.
If you wear your retainers according to your dentist’s instructions, you should not experience pain or significant discomfort.
If you have previously worn braces, adapting to retainers is usually easy. They fit more comfortably than orthodontic brackets and should not cause unpleasant sensations. However, just like braces, retainers require a short adjustment period.
How Long Will You Need to Wear Retainers?
Dentists generally recommend wearing retainers full-time for at least four to six months. After that, you will most likely only need to wear them at night. Some patients continue wearing retainers for life.
Many patients ask whether it is possible to stop wearing retainers altogether after braces. The recommended duration of retainer wear varies depending on the clinical situation and the type of orthodontic treatment received.
Adult patients are at a greater risk of tooth movement after braces are removed than children. In adults, teeth tend to shift back to their previous position more quickly. Adult bone and periodontal ligament structures are stronger and more stable, which increases the likelihood of relapse.
How to Care for Retainers
Prevent damage to or loss of your removable retainers. You can keep them in excellent condition by cleaning them at least once a day.
Follow these recommendations to avoid damaging or losing your removable retainers:
- Remove your retainers before eating.
- When you are not wearing your retainers, always place them back in their case.
- Do not chew gum while wearing retainers.
- Never place retainers in a pocket or handbag unless they are stored in their protective case.
- Avoid wrapping retainers in a napkin, as they can easily be thrown away by mistake.
- Keep retainers away from pets, as animals may damage them.
- Always brush and floss your teeth thoroughly before putting your retainers back in.
Removable retainers should also be cleaned regularly using water and antibacterial soap. Some toothpastes are too abrasive and may damage the appliance. After cleaning, the retainer should be rinsed with warm water.
Caring for fixed retainers simply requires maintaining proper oral hygiene and cleaning around them with dental floss. Fixed retainers should only be removed by an orthodontist or dentist. Most permanent retainers remain in place for several years.
What Should You Do If a Retainer Breaks or Gets Lost?
Damaged wires can irritate the gums or lips. In most cases, there is nothing you can do at home to repair a retainer. Contact your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible.
If you lose a removable retainer, contact your dentist to have a replacement made. Do not delay—the longer you go without wearing your retainer, the more likely your teeth are to shift.
Can a Retainer Straighten Teeth?
Retainers do not straighten teeth the way braces or aligners do. They cannot apply the continuous force required to move teeth into the correct position.
However, if you have not worn your retainer for several weeks and your teeth have shifted slightly, wearing the retainer again may help guide them back into their proper position.
You invested a great deal of time, effort, and commitment to achieve your ideal smile with braces. By following your dentist’s recommendations regarding retainer wear, you can maintain that smile for many years. Retainers are an essential part of the orthodontic treatment process.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.