Retainers & Appliances

The Retention Phase

Once your active orthodontic treatment is complete and your braces are removed, retention begins. You will be provided with a retainer designed to help keep your teeth in their new positions while the surrounding bone, gums, and muscles adapt.

Wearing your retainer exactly as instructed by your orthodontist is essential to maintaining your results. Teeth naturally have a tendency to shift over time, and missed or inconsistent retainer wear can allow teeth to move out of alignment. If enough shifting occurs, your retainer may no longer fit properly and additional orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the movement.

Your retainer is an important part of your orthodontic treatment and helps protect the healthy, beautiful smile you worked hard to achieve. We will provide specific instructions for wearing and caring for your retainer based on your individual needs.

Retainer Care & Storage

Proper storage is important to protect your retainer from being lost or damaged.

  • Always keep your retainer in its protective case whenever it is not in your mouth.
  • Never wrap your retainer in a paper napkin or tissue. It can easily be mistaken for trash and accidentally thrown away.
  • Avoid carrying your retainer loose in your pocket, backpack, or purse, especially during sports or activities where it could be damaged or lost.
  • Keep your retainer away from dogs and cats. Pets are often attracted to retainers and may chew or damage them.
  • Keep your retainer away from heat and hot water, which can warp the plastic and affect its fit.
  • Never boil your retainer to sterilize it. If your retainer needs a deeper cleaning or disinfection, bring it to our office and we’ll be happy to help.

Please Note: An additional fee may apply for the replacement of lost or broken retainers.

Cleaning Your Retainer

Keeping your retainer clean is important for both your oral health and the life of the appliance.

  • Clean your retainer every day using a soft toothbrush and cool or lukewarm water.
  • Do not use hot or boiling water, as heat can warp the retainer and change its fit.
  • Avoid using regular toothpaste unless instructed by our office, as some toothpastes can be abrasive and scratch the retainer.
  • For a deeper cleaning, use a retainer-cleaning solution or tablet according to the product instructions.
  • Always rinse your retainer thoroughly before placing it back in your mouth.
  • When you are not wearing your retainer, keep it in its protective case. Never wrap it in a napkin or leave it loose where it can be accidentally thrown away.
  • Keep your retainer away from pets, who may be attracted to its scent and chew or damage it.

If Your Retainer Is Lost

Contact our office as soon as possible if your retainer is lost. Teeth can begin to shift when a retainer is not being worn, so replacing it promptly is important.

If you locate your retainer after being without it for a period of time, do not force it into place if it feels tight or no longer fits properly. Contact our office so we can determine the appropriate next step.

If Your Retainer Is Damaged

If your retainer is cracked, broken, warped, or no longer fits properly, please contact our office. Do not attempt to repair or adjust it yourself, as this could damage the retainer or affect your teeth.

If the damaged retainer is still comfortable and fits properly, bring it with you to your appointment so our team can evaluate it.

Avoid playing with or flipping your retainer with your tongue. This can put unnecessary pressure on your teeth and may damage the retainer.

Please Note: An additional fee may apply for the replacement of lost or broken retainers.