Retainers are custom appliances designed to hold your teeth in place. They are often prescribed after orthodontic treatment, such as braces, to keep your bite in place after it has been reshaped or corrected.
Wearing a retainer can be uncomfortable, but it’s a mild inconvenience compared to having to go through braces again.
This article will cover the basics of using your retainer, including how long you should wear it each day and how to keep it clean.
There are three types of retainers that orthodontists prescribe after your braces are removed. Both types are prescribed to keep your teeth from moving and set them permanently in their new position.
Welded retainer
The first type is called a welded retainer. It adapts to your teeth after your braces are removed to keep them in place for the first few months after treatment.
A bonded retainer is recommended if you need to wear your retainer at all times as a continuation of orthodontic treatment.
Hawley retention
The second type of retainer is removable. Hawley retainers, also called wire retainers, can be removed for cleaning and eating.
Having a removable retainer does not mean that it is any less important for you to wear your retainer and follow your orthodontist’s instructions.
Transparent plastic holder
The third type of retainer is another removable item. Also called a molded retainer, it is designed to mold and fit perfectly into the new position of your teeth.
Clear plastic retainers have become popular in recent years because they are virtually invisible and more likely to be worn. This retainer is not the same thing as Invisalign, which is used to straighten teeth rather than prevent them from moving out of place.
When it comes to wear and use, be sure to follow your orthodontist’s instructions.
If you have an attached retainer, you’ll be wearing it all day and all night. But if you have a removable bracket, the rules are a little different. You may receive different instructions depending on your specific treatment needs.
The standard guideline for a removable retainer is to wear it full time, except for meals and cleanings, for the first 4 to 6 months after your braces are removed, according to Canadian Association of Orthodontists.
However, a 2010 survey Orthodontists have shown that many recommend wearing the removable retainer at all times for at least 9 months after the braces are removed.
After several months have passed and you have been cleared by your orthodontist, you may be able to limit wearing your retainer each night while you sleep.
According to the 2010 survey mentioned above, over 58 percent of orthodontists prefer to prescribe removable retainers after completing braces treatment.
Most respondents recommend wearing these retainers every day for 9 months and then switching to nighttime.
You never stop needing to wear a retainer, although you may need to replace your retainer after a few years.
40 percent of respondents said they prescribe permanent tongue retainers that you keep in your mouth for the rest of your life.
No matter what type of retainer your orthodontist recommends, you will likely be instructed to continue treatment with it indefinitely.
Throughout your life, your teeth move. If you’ve ever had braces, you’re familiar with the fact that the position of your teeth in your mouth is subject to change depending on factors such as your age and the use of orthodontic appliances.
Just because your orthodontic treatment is complete doesn’t mean your teeth will stay in place.
If you do not wear your retainer as directed by your orthodontist, your teeth will tend to move back into their original position. This is known as
If you try to skip wearing your retainer for a few weeks or months, your teeth may shift and your retainer may no longer fit your teeth properly.
Keeping your retainer clean protects your teeth. In the case of a removable retainer, it can also extend its life.
How to keep a stuck retainer clean
A bonded retainer should be cleaned as part of your regular dental hygiene routine. Since you cannot remove a fixed retainer, you will need to floss your retainer (and the front of your teeth).
This takes some practice, but you’ll get it. Also, be sure to turn your toothbrush vertically and horizontally to get rid of any plaque build-up or food particles around your fixed holder.
How to keep a removable brace clean
Clean your removable case with warm water each time you remove it. Rinsing your retainer while it is still wet with your saliva will prevent food from hardening in your retainer.
If your orthodontist recommends it, you can purchase a special soaking product to soak your retainer between uses.
You may also want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to scrub each part of your retainer once a day. However, do this carefully as many types of toothpaste are abrasive and can scratch your retainer. Consider asking your orthodontist for advice on which type to use.
If food debris gets trapped in your case, use a clean cotton swab dipped in water to clean it. Do not boil your retainer in water or attempt to wash it in the dishwasher.
Using a retainer as directed by your orthodontist is essential to maintaining the results of your nails.
Your instructions will vary depending on your specific needs. Some people have to wear a retainer all day, every day for 4 months, while others will be instructed to wear theirs for 12 months.
Almost all orthodontists instruct you to use some form of retainer every night indefinitely after your braces are removed.
Although the lifelong commitment to your retainer can be intimidating, it is important to maintain the investment of orthodontic treatment.
