Retainer Care 101: Keeping Your New Smile Straight

Congratulations on completing your orthodontic treatment! Now that your braces or aligners are off, you are probably wondering, “What’s next?” The answer to that question is something that we as orthodontists refer to as “retention.” This is simply the process of keeping your teeth straight and maintaining that beautiful smile that we both worked so hard to create. At your last visit, you were provided with orthodontic retainers. There are two types of retainers that we commonly use at Coastal Carolina Orthodontics. Which ones you receive depend on a combination of factors but are most influenced by the starting position of your teeth. As a general rule, your teeth will want to move back to their pre-treatment position without the use of orthodontic retainers.

The majority of patients receive what we call an Essix retainer. These retainers are made of clear plastic and maintain the exact position of your teeth at the end of treatment. At Coastal Carolina Orthodontics we instruct all of our patients to wear their Essix retainers, at minimum, every night. There is no harm in wearing your retainers more, but every night is the absolute minimum needed to keep your teeth straight and maintain your investment. Just like teeth, retainers need to be washed as well. The best way to clean your retainer is to gently scrub it with a toothbrush and water. We do not recommend washing your retainer with hot water as it can warp the plastic and will no longer fit correctly. Always store your retainer in the provided retainer case when not in use. The story of “my dog ate my retainer” is actually true, dogs love these things! Just as with a toothbrush, orthodontic retainers do not last forever. The average lifespan of an orthodontic retainer is around 3 years, and they will need to be replaced with time. We will check the status of the retainers periodically and will recommend replacement when needed. However, if the retainers are lost, no longer fit, or are getting worn out, please give us a call so that they can be replaced.

The second type of retainer used at Coastal Carolina Orthodontics is what we call a “fixed retainer.” It consists of a small piece of wire that is glued (or “fixed”) to the back of your front teeth to provide increased stability. This type of retainer is case-specific, and your orthodontist will discuss it with you, if indicated. Flossing with a fixed retainer can be challenging as floss threaders are required to feed the floss under the wire and between your teeth. Fixed retainers need periodic maintenance as the wire can break and the glue can come off one or more teeth. These are things that we assess during your retainer check appointments. However, if you notice this, please call our office immediately to get it repaired.  

Orthodontic retention is a critical step to maintaining your beautiful smile! Many patients ask us, “How long do I need to wear my retainers?” The answer is, “As long as you want straight teeth!” As we age, nothing in the body stays the same, and teeth are no exception. Your teeth will want to continually shift throughout your life, making your orthodontic retainer a crucial part of your nightly routine. At Coastal Carolina Orthodontics we take great pride in providing you with a smile that lasts a lifetime, and that is truly something to smile about!