Post-Treatment Retainers

Retainers are an important long-term part of maintaining the results of your orthodontic treatment. After braces or Invisalign treatment, your retainer helps keep your teeth in their new positions and reduce unwanted shifting.

Your orthodontist will provide a personalized retainer wear schedule. You may initially need to wear your retainer for most of the day before transitioning to nighttime wear as your teeth become more stable.

Because teeth can naturally shift throughout your life, ongoing retainer wear is generally recommended to help maintain your orthodontic results over time.

For the first few months of retainer wear after active orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear your retainer 24 hours a day, every day. This is because these early months of the retention phase are when your teeth are most likely to relapse (shift back to their pre-treatment positions).

During this time, you'll take your retainer out only to eat, brush and floss your teeth, or play sports (when you'll need to wear a sports mouthguard instead).

Over time, your teeth will settle into their new positions, and your risk of relapse will decrease. When your orthodontist has determined you're ready, you'll be able to start wearing your retainer for fewer hours a day. For many people, this means overnight retainer wear only.

With proper care and regular use, a retainer can last for years, although it may eventually need to be replaced. Signs that you may need a new retainer include cracks, chips, or other damage that affects its structure, as well as a retainer that has become loose or no longer fits your teeth properly.

You may also need a replacement if your retainer develops stubborn buildup that can't be removed with regular cleaning. If you notice changes in the fit, condition, or cleanliness of your retainer, contact your orthodontist so they can determine whether it should be replaced.

If you wear a removable retainer, you should take it out before eating and when drinking anything other than water. Hot beverages can potentially warp some types of retainers, while highly pigmented drinks such as coffee or tea may cause staining.

You can drink water while wearing your retainer. When you remove it for meals or drinks, store it safely in its case rather than wrapping it in a napkin or leaving it exposed.

Clean your removable retainer regularly using a soft-bristled toothbrush, mild liquid soap, and cool or lukewarm water. Gently brushing your retainer helps remove plaque, bacteria, and other buildup. Avoid hot water, which can warp or damage some types of retainers.

You can also soak your retainer periodically using a cleaning product designed specifically for retainers, following the product instructions. This can help remove stubborn buildup and keep your retainer fresh and clean.

When you're not wearing or cleaning your removable retainer, store it in its case to help protect it from being lost, damaged, or accidentally thrown away.

Keep both your retainer and its case clean, and allow them to dry properly to help prevent bacteria and odors from developing. Avoid leaving your retainer in places where it may be exposed to excessive heat, which can cause some materials to warp.

It's important to wear your retainer according to the schedule prescribed by your orthodontist to help maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment.

If you occasionally forget to wear your retainer, resume wearing it as directed as soon as you remember. If it feels unusually tight, uncomfortable, or no longer fits properly, contact your orthodontist rather than forcing it into place.

Going without your retainer for extended periods can allow your teeth to shift, which may affect your orthodontic results and could require additional treatment. Consistent retainer wear is the best way to help keep your teeth in their new positions.