Congratulations! You’ve completed your orthodontic journey, and your teeth are beautifully aligned. Now we need to stress the importance of consistent retainer wear, critical for the long-term stability of your recently-aligned smile. Here’s everything you need to know about why retainers matter and how to care for them properly.

Why Retainers Are Essential After Braces

Stabilizing Your Teeth Post-Braces

Once braces are removed, your teeth aren’t fully set in place—the bone and soft tissues around them need time to stabilize. This process can take several months, making it critical to wear your retainers as prescribed. Failure to do so may result in unwanted shifting, potentially requiring additional treatment.

Lifetime Maintenance For a Straight Smile

Teeth naturally continue to shift throughout life. That’s why individuals who have undergone orthodontic treatment must wear retainers indefinitely to maintain their results.

• First Year After Braces: Full-time wear is required.
• After One Year: Retainers should be worn at night for continued maintenance.
• Ongoing Retention: Our team will schedule post-treatment visits to verify the positioning of your teeth.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are provided immediately after braces to stabilize your teeth. These retainers must be worn exactly as instructed to prevent shifting.

Caring For Removable Retainers

• Keep them away from heat sources (like dishwashers, heaters, and car dashboards) to avoid warping.
• Store them in a protective retainer case when not in use.
• Avoid toothpaste when cleaning—use cool water and a soft brush instead. For deep cleaning, soak in a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water for up to 15 minutes.
• Keep retainers away from pets! Dogs love to chew on them.

Fixed Retainers (Bonded Wire)

A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind the teeth, often used for long-term stability in cases where shifting is highly likely.

Important Maintenance For Fixed Retainers

• Regularly check for looseness or damage and contact us if anything feels off.
• Have your family dentist monitor the retainer at your routine six-month cleanings.
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent plaque buildup around the wire.

What Happens If You Stop Wearing Your Retainer?

Risk Of Orthodontic Relapse

If you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will shift over time—sometimes faster than you’d expect. Even after years of braces, the muscle memory in your mouth can cause movement.

You May Need Orthodontic Treatment Again

Neglecting your retainer could result in misalignment or spacing issues, requiring re-treatment with braces or aligners. Wearing your retainer as instructed helps protect the investment you made in your smile.

Habits That Require Stronger Retention

Certain conditions make retainers even more crucial to prevent shifting. These include:

• Mouth breathing
• Clenching or grinding (bruxism)
• Tongue thrusting or low tongue posture
• Nail biting or lip sucking
• Playing reed-based musical instruments
• Previous severe spacing or rotated teeth

If you experience any of these habits, you may need longer retainer wear to maintain your results.

Need a Replacement Retainer?

Retainers are designed to last for years, but they may need periodic replacement due to wear and tear. Your initial treatment plan includes one set of retainers, but if they are lost or damaged due to neglect, there will be a replacement fee. If anything feels loose or broken, contact O’Gara-Gilbert-Silvaroli Orthodontics immediately.

Maintain Your Perfect Smile With O’Gara-Gilbert-Silvaroli Orthodontics

Retainers are the final step in your orthodontic journey, securing the new alignment of your teeth indefinitely. O’Gara-Gilbert-Silvaroli Orthodontics is dedicated to helping you maintain your perfect smile. If you have questions about your retainer or need a replacement, schedule an appointment with our Reno office today!