Your orthodontic treatment doesn’t end when your braces or Invisalign come off; it simply enters a new phase: retention. We’re committed to helping you maintain your beautifully aligned smile for life. That’s why we provide expert guidance on orthodontic retainers and how to use them effectively.
Why Retainers After Braces or Invisalign Are Important?
After your teeth have been moved into their ideal positions, they need time to stabilize. The surrounding bone and tissues continue adjusting, which means there’s a natural tendency for teeth to shift back without support. Wearing your retainers as instructed ensures your results last and helps prevent the need for future orthodontic treatment.
How Long Should I Wear My Retainers?
The short answer: as long as you want to keep your smile straight.
Here’s what most patients can expect after treatment:
First 4 to 5 Months After Treatment: Retainers should be worn as much as possible during the daytime, being taken out for eating, brushing teeth, sports, choir, band, or special occasions. They should also be worn at night while sleeping.
After your 4-month Retention Visit: Retainers may be worn at night while sleeping only until instructed otherwise.
Ongoing Monitoring: We offer annual retainer checkups and guidance on wisdom teeth or retention adjustments if needed.
Caring for Your Removable Retainers
To keep your retainers clean, comfortable, and effective:
Keep Them Cool: Avoid hot water, dishwashers, and car dashboards—heat over 115°F can warp the material.
Use a Case: Always store your retainers in a protective case when not in use.
Keep Away from Pets: Dogs and cats are notorious for chewing retainers!
Clean Gently: Brush with mild soap and a toothbrush, not toothpaste, which is abrasive. For a deeper clean, soak in denture-cleaning tablets like Efferdent.
Replace When Needed: Retainers wear out over time. Your treatment includes one set, but replacement retainers may incur a fee if lost, broken, or neglected.
Call Us for Help: If your retainers break, feel loose, or no longer fit properly, contact us right away.
Fixed (Bonded) Retainers
Dr. Andrew Shelly generally treats the placement of fixed retainers for the lower anterior teeth if there is any pretreatment malalignment, such as crowding, spacing, or rotations of these teeth. However, if a fixed retainer is unwanted, removable retainers will keep the teeth straightened very well, too, if they are worn properly.
Extra Retention May Be Needed If You…
Certain habits or conditions may make you more prone to relapse. You may need a more personalized retention plan if you:
Breathe through your mouth
Grind or clench your teeth
Have tongue thrusting or poor tongue posture
Play a wind or reed instrument
Suck your lip or chew on pens/pencils
Had large gaps or rotated teeth before treatment
We’ll assess your needs and tailor a plan that keeps your smile stable and stunning.
Keep Up with Your Oral Health
Retainers are just one part of maintaining your orthodontic results. Be sure to:
Brush and floss daily
Visit your general dentist every six months
Monitor for signs of shifting or retainer wear
At Shelly Orthodontics, we’re here to support your smile for years to come. If you have questions or need a retainer checkup, give us a call, your confident smile is always worth protecting.
