How Long Do You Have to Wear Retainers?

Common Questions About Permanent Retainers

• Are permanent retainers better than removable?

  Permanent retainers provide better protection from unwanted tooth movement as compared to removable retainers. Teeth that are bonded with effective permanent retainers show less tendency to shift over time.

  For patients wanting to maintain their smile with minimal maintenance, a permanent retainer is the better option: it provides a quick and lasting solution that keeps the results of orthodontic care in place for as long as the retainer lasts, with minimal compliance. A removable retainer needs to be worn every night diligently, and it is easy to forget or neglect to wear, especially after a year or two, or to lose the retainer.

  Permanent retainers offer long-term preservation of the results of orthodontic care, with an easy-to-maintain appliance, which makes them an attractive, preferable option for many patients. On the other hand, patients may prefer the easy-to-clean aspect of removable retainers: some patients report difficulty flossing with the lingual wire retainer.

• Are permanent retainers for life?

  While you may not wear a permanent retainer for the rest of your life, you can expect it to work for many years. A well-maintained permanent retainer can last for a very long time, but you may need to change it on occasion if the retainer breaks or wears out.

  There are no long-term side-effects of wearing a permanent retainer – and since it can continue to protect your smile, orthodontists recommend that you keep it in for as long as possible.

• How long should a permanent retainer last?

  If the permanent retainer is well cared for, it can last for years. After this time, you may have to change it out. If it becomes damaged, breaks, or falls out, it will need to be replaced.

  This can happen as the retainer ages, or at any time due to an accident or trauma to the mouth.

• Can your teeth still shift with permanent retainers?

  Very minor shifting is expected and normal. While you may experience minor adjustments as your teeth settle into place, the permanent retainer is designed to hold them in their new, fixed position, and protect them from any significant shifting.

  If you are noticing more major shifting, contact your orthodontist: the permanent retainer may be broken or improperly installed.

• Can you get an MRI with permanent retainer?

  Generally, you can get an MRI with a permanent retainer. It is entirely safe: the only problem is if the area to be imaged is very close to the retainer, in which case the metal in the retainer may distort the images.

  If this is the case, your doctor may refer you to your orthodontist to temporarily remove the permanent retainer, but this is very unlikely. Many people have had MRIs with braces or permanent retainers on.

• What can you not eat with a permanent retainer?

  Generally, there are no food restrictions with permanent bonded retainers. You can eat any food you like without causing damage to the retainer.

  Be sure to brush regularly and floss every day to remove any debris from under the wire of your retainer, to prevent plaque build-up.

• Can you chew gum with permanent retainer?

  It is safe to chew gum with a permanent retainer. You just have to make sure no gum gets stuck under the wire.

  If you find this happens frequently when chewing gum, you can switch to sucking a breath mint, or tic-tacs, for an equally effective breath freshener without the sticky factor of chewing gum.

• Can dentists remove permanent retainers?

  While a dentist can remove a permanent retainer, check-ups for the retainer and any replacement of the retainer should be done by a licensed, dedicated orthodontist rather than a general dentist.

  Removal is relatively simple, but making sure the retainer is working properly and/or installing a new one requires more specialized expertise.

• Can permanent retainers break?

  Yes. While permanent retainers are designed to last, accidents happen, or wear and tear over time can cause a permanent retainer to break or get damaged.

  Bond glue can also break and need replacement. In that case, a retainer will need to be replaced. A dentist can remove the old retainer but you should see an orthodontist and have a new one installed.

• Can I superglue my permanent retainer?

  No, it is very unsafe to attempt to fix your retainer by super-gluing it back together. Superglue is toxic: it is not designed to work in your mouth. You will have no idea if you are putting it back into correct alignment, and could cause the retainer to malfunction, causing disruption to your teeth. You could also damage your teeth directly by attempting to use superglue anywhere inside or near your mouth.

  If you need assistance with your retainer, visit a licensed orthodontist for assistance.

Common Questions About Clear/Plastic Retainers

• How Much Do Plastic Retainers Cost?

  It depends on the type of plastic retainer and whether it is included in your orthodontic treatment. When separate from treatment, an Essix plastic retainer can cost anywhere between $250-$700, for a single set of retainers.

  Invisalign Vivera retainers usually come in a set of four and each arch costs 800 to 1500, while Essix retainers come as a single set for between $250 and $700.

• How Do You Care For Plastic Retainers?

  It's important to care for your plastic retainers properly, to ensure they work. When you remove your retainers, store them properly in the case so they don’t get lost or damaged (or eaten by the dog!). Clean them every day, directly after removing them from your mouth.

  To clean, either scrub with a soft toothbrush or denture brush, with warm water, or, for a deeper clean, with mild dish soap. Don’t use toothpaste, as it can scratch the retainer surface.

  For a deeper clean, you can use cotton to clean out the grooves and ridges of the retainer. Your retainer may also come with a soaking solution to dip it in and break down bacteria. Soaking retainers in hydrogen peroxide a few times a week is another good way to break down bacteria.

  When plastic retainers become worn down or broken, schedule a visit with your orthodontist to have new retainer molds made. How long your retainers last depends on individual factors, such as compliance, hygiene, extra wear and tear from grinding your teeth at night, etc.

  • Learn More About Hawley vs. Clear Retainers

• Are Clear Plastic Retainers Effective?

  When used properly, clear plastic retainers are effective for protecting the results of your orthodontic treatment. Comfortable and safe to use, plastic retainers have helped many patients protect their smiles.

  However, as time goes on after treatment, some patients may begin to neglect regular use of their plastic retainers, which diminishes their effectiveness. Failing to use the retainers properly can result in teeth moving back out of alignment, requiring another round of treatment.

  To maintain the effectiveness of your retainers, be sure to wear them as advised by your orthodontist.

• Are Plastic Retainers Safe?

  Yes, plastic retainers are very safe. They are custom molded to your teeth, to fit snugly over the top and bottom teeth and protect the treatment results. They are made of medical-grade multilayer polyurethane plastic designed for biocompatibility and comfort. They are BPA-free and easy to wash clean.

  When first wearing your retainers, you may experience mild discomfort as your mouth adjusts to the feeling of the retainers; this should go away within the first few days. If the edge of the retainer is bothering your gums or lips, you can trim it with a nail clipper or cuticle scissors.

  • Learn More About Clear Retainers Vs Hawley Retainers

• What are Clear Plastic Retainers Made Of?

  Clear plastic retainers are made of BPA-free, medical-grade plastic: usually, a multilayer polyurethane resin specially designed for use in dental devices. They are also called vacuform retainers (VFRs) because a specialized vacuum forms the retainers over a model mold of the patient's teeth.

  They are free of BPA and other toxic chemicals and are entirely safe for regular wear.

• How Long Do Clear Plastic Retainers Last?

  If well-maintained, a plastic retainer should last for a few years. After that, it will need to be replaced. Be sure to make them last by caring for your retainers properly, by brushing them regularly to clean and storing them in a case when not in use.

• Do Plastic Retainers Break Easily?

  Plastic retainers are designed to last for a few years, but they can be damaged or broken. Exposure to heat may warp the plastic, and if it is stepped on the plastic can bend or snap. A common culprit of retainer damage: the family dog! Be sure to store your retainer properly in a case to protect it from curious pets looking for chew toys.

  Because plastic Essix retainers can break more easily, some patients prefer a permanent bonded retainer or a Vivera retainer, both of which break less easily and last longer.

• Are Plastic Retainers Better than Metal?

  Both plastic and metal (Hawley) retainers are effective in protecting the results of orthodontic care. Metal retainers may be slightly more expensive, but more durable. But plastic retainers are easy to replace, comfortable to wear, and nearly invisible when worn. Generally, the better choice is whichever retainer you prefer. Make sure to wear the retainer as advised for effective use.

• Do Plastic Retainers Stretch Out?

  Yes – over time, the plastic retainer will stretch out and loosen. This is one of the ways regular wear and tear will eventually damage the retainer and require replacement. The retainer should feel very snug around your teeth at first, but over time, they may start to feel slightly looser. That is expected due to minor movement of your teeth, as well as the natural wearing out of the plastic over time. The retainer will feel tight in the very beginning, but they will soon adjust to a comfortable fit. After long-term use, they may stretch out too much to be effective, and then it is time to get a new retainer.

• Can Plastic Retainers Cause Cavities?

  A plastic retainer does not cause cavities: poor oral hygiene causes cavities. Proper oral hygiene requires regular brushing and flossing, as well as regular cleaning of the retainers. If they are not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow on the retainers, which can coat your teeth while you wear them and cause damage.

• What Do I Do if My Clear Retainer Cracks?

  A cracked retainer is still working as long it fits properly. If the retainer is completed broken, you need to replace it, but if a crack is small and the retainer fits , you can continue to wear it. A large crack that makes the retainer feel no longer snug around your teeth needs to be checked by an orthodontist and repaired or replaced.

• How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Plastic Retainer?

  Replacement cost depends on which plastic retainer you are using. A single pair of Essix retainers may cost between $250-$700 to replace; a set of Vivera Invisalign retainers may cost around $800 to $1500, although you can generally get a savings package of 4 sets (total of 8 retainers), which provides back-up in case of damage or loss.

General Questions About Retainers

• Should I Get a Permanent or Removable Retainer?

  Orthodontists generally recommend a permanent (bonded) retainer, which connects the front teeth and prevents them from moving. Permanent retainers last a long time and thus are effective at protecting the results of treatment while requiring less compliance from you.

  Other retainers are also comfortable and effective if used properly: you can select the retainers that you prefer for your specific case, comforts, and preferences, with the recommendation and instructions of your orthodontist.

• Do Retainers Straighten Your Teeth?

  Retainers are not designed to straighten teeth: they are, rather, designed to keep in place the results of prior orthodontic treatment. Minor tooth movement can be accomplished with spring aligners, which look like retainers but use specialized springs to move teeth a limited amount.

  Regular retainers are simply to protect the gains of your orthodontic treatment: without retainers, your teeth will shift back out of alignment; wearing the retainers after your teeth have shifted will not succeed in straightening them again.

• Why Do My Teeth Feel Loose After Wearing My Retainer?

  • Some patients report that their teeth feel loose when they start wearing a retainer . This is normal: your teeth are settling into their comfortable positions after the orthodontic appliance has been removed or finished, and some discomfort or looseness is normal. You will quickly adjust as your teeth settle and the teeth will become stable over time.

• Are Retainers Painful?

  Some discomfort is normal when you first start wearing your retainers: your mouth needs time to adjust to the new appliance. Discomfort should resolve itself quickly. If you experience pain or ongoing discomfort, contact your orthodontist as the retainers may not be fitting properly.

  If you neglect to wear your retainers for a long time and then try to put them on, they may be painful because your teeth have shifted. If this is the case, contact your orthodontist about getting a new retainer.

• Can a Tight Retainer Damage Your Teeth?

  Yes. Wearing a retainer that no longer fits your teeth is bad for your teeth and can damage them. The retainer should fit comfortably, without having to force it on but staying securely over your teeth. If you are having trouble putting the retainer in your mouth, don't force it: contact your orthodontist about getting a new retainer.

  Learn what to do if a retainer no longer fits

• Can I Wear My Retainer After Not Wearing It For Years?

  If you have lapsed in wearing your retainer, try putting it back in your mouth and see if it fits snugly and without forcing it into your mouth. If that's the case, then your teeth have not shifted and you can resume wearing it nightly as before. If, however, it is difficult to push into your mouth and you have to force it, or if it feels uncomfortable or painful when it's in, then don't continue to wear it: contact your orthodontist about getting a new set of retainers. Make sure to bring your old set of retainers to your appointment.

• Can I Stop Wearing My Retainer After 2 Years?

  Ideally, you should continue to wear your retainer forever. However, you can reduce wearing your retainer to 3-5 nights a week after the first year in order to keep your teeth from shifting.

• How Long Do Clear Retainers Last?

  Clear retainers, such as Essix retainers, will last a few years. Vivera retainers are exclusively designed by Invisalign and use patented technology as well as offering multiple backup sets, so they last longer. Be sure to store your retainer in a case when not wearing them, and wash them promptly after wearing them each time. If you see cracks or holes in the retainers, or if they are stretched out and no longer fit snugly, then it is time to get a new retainer.

• Can I Use My Old Retainer to Straighten my Teeth?

  If you lapse with your retainer, your teeth may shift out of alignment. Your retainer is not a solution to straighten your teeth: in fact, wearing a retainer that no longer fits can damage your teeth. If you have stopped wearing your retainer and your teeth have shifted out of place, schedule a visit with an orthodontist to discuss your case and your treatment options.

• What Happens if You Stop Wearing Retainers After Braces?

  If you stop wearing your retainers when you are done with orthodontic care, your teeth will gradually shift back. Shifting is inevitable: the only thing that can stop shifting is a retainer. This is why it's important to wear your retainer 3-5 nights a week for as long as you can.

• Can A Dentist Fix My Broken Retainer?

  Dentists are capable of performing orthodontic treatment, such as fixing a retainer, but they generally have less direct experience with orthodontia than a licensed orthodontist. While a dentist can remove a permanent retainer, to get a new retainer or repair a broken retainer, it's best to go to a dedicated orthodontist, who will have the most direct experience with the issue.