youtube-video-thumbnail

Things About Retainers You May Not Know

Once we start our orthodontic journey, we quickly become familiar with post-care options and routines. Most patients will continue to keep their new smiles in good shape by using a retainer. You’ve likely heard both success stories and failed tales regarding retainers; when you wear it diligently, your smile remains in place and when you don’t, your smile can revert back to its pre-braces state. However, there’s a lot more information patients should be privy to when it comes to retainers. Below are some key insights and fast facts for brushing up on your retainer knowledge to be better prepared for post-treatment.

Hawley Retainers and Essix Retainers

The Hawley Retainer is officially over 100 years old. Named after its creator, Dr. Charles A. Hawley, this device is the most widely-used option to date. The removable retainer first came into existence in the early 1900s and was clinically tested and implemented for the first time in the 1920s. 

Essix retainers, introduced in the 1990s, are a clear option that looks similar to an Invisalign aligner. Talk with your orthodontist about the pros and cons of each kind to see what would be the right fit for your mouth.

Retainers are custom-fitted devices that are molded by your orthodontist to fit your mouth. They are prescribed to keep your smile in place after orthodontic treatment. This final-phase protocol will require patients to follow all directions enlisted by their practitioner and follow up with check-ups regularly. Retainers may be adjusted as time goes on if your smile isn’t staying intact the way it should be. Some retainers may be permanent in nature, but others are removable and meant to be worn at certain times of the day or night. 

Retainers Wear out and Can Get Damaged

Over 50% of orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer after having braces. If you don’t have a permanent retainer, it is imperative to remember when to wear your removable model and to ask your orthodontist if you aren’t sure about your routine. 

Removal retainers will need to be replaced, as wear and tear will lessen their effectiveness over time. If you take proper care of your device, you won’t need to replace it before its time. Milnor Orthodontics cautions patients to keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins. Don’t try to adjust your retainers yourself as they are easily damaged, just bring them to your appointment and talk to your orthodontist about your concerns.

How Long You Need to Wear a Retainer

The duration of retainer wear is mostly based on your specific orthodontic treatment and personal needs. As a result, most orthodontists recommend that you wear your retainers full-time for at least the first month after treatment. That way, you’ll only take them out when you eat, brush, or clean.

From there, you’ll move to only wearing them at night. They’ll have you happily smiling and showing off your new grin, even by daytime! All patients—except in the rarest of cases—need to wear retainers nightly for at least 12 months. This prevents their teeth from drifting back to their previous state.

After a while, you can reduce wear time to a few nights a week. Compliance is crucial. If you miss even a few days, your retainer will likely feel snug when you start wearing it again. If you forget for a month or more, wearing your retainer again can be painful, since your teeth will have started to move.

Keeping up with this timeline is an important step in preserving the results of your orthodontic journey.

Treatment Doesn’t End when Your Braces Come off

Though your time with braces has come to an end, your tooth maintenance has not. As you age, your teeth continue to shift and this can be especially true for someone whose natural smile has required orthodontic treatment. When you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist, you may be subject to what is known as “relapsing.” Your teeth will more than likely shift a little, if not all the way back to their original placement. 

If this occurs, patients may find themselves wearing braces again within 10 years of getting them removed. Don’t ruin all of your hard work by not following your post-care routine. Retainers are meant to make your smile last, so take pride in being diligent about your continued treatment.

Milnor Orthodontics knows a thing or two about how to achieve and keep a perfect smile. Let us know if you have questions about what post-care may look like for you and how to best prepare for what’s ahead in your smile’s future.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Retainers

Retainers require some responsibility on the wearer’s part, but staying away from these common retainer mistakes will keep them working their best. For starters, neglecting to clean your retainer on a daily basis is a big mistake. Retainers are a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause odors and other oral health problems.

Just like that, leaving them in hot cars or direct sunlight can warp them. For example, a retainer that’s left on your car’s dashboard in the heat of summer will likely be completely unshapable. The other big no-no is failing to keep retainers in a hard plastic case. Without the proper storage, they’re easy to lose, break or contaminate.

If your retainer is giving you pain or doesn’t fit properly, don’t let it slide—get in touch with your orthodontist right away. Losing a good fit could mean your teeth have moved out of alignment or your retainer has broken and needs repair. Finally, one last bad retainer habit—taking it out only when eating. Hard or sticky foods will break it, while beverages like coffee or soda can discolor it, shortening its life.

Habits That Damage Retainers

Here are some common retainer mistakes you might be making that will ruin your retainer. Making bad choices with your retainer—like chewing on it—can cause cracks and breaks. It’s not a stress ball, and treating it like one will just result in expensive replacements.

It’s just as harmful to chew on sticky or firm foods with a retainer in your mouth. Foods such as caramel or nuts may get stuck or even crack it, rendering it ineffective. Another cause is improper storage. When you throw your retainer on a kitchen counter or into a jacket pocket you risk subjecting it to dirt, bacteria, and accidental breakage.

Use a clean, hard retainer case at all times to avoid dropping or damaging retainers. Damage can occur from extreme temperatures. Hot water might feel like the best way to clean them, but it may eventually make the material brittle. It’s best to continue to use lukewarm water and use your orthodontist’s recommended cleaning methods.

To ensure you get the most life and value out of your retainer, take care of it. Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, since these will erode the retainer material and/or leave toxic residues. Careless actions can ruin a retainer, but responsible habits can go a long way in ensuring your retainer lasts and your smile stays healthy.

Conclusion

Retainers are an important part of the overall process of protecting your newly aligned teeth and vibrant smile. These devices come in several styles, all of which are designed to fulfill different needs. Wearing them as prescribed is essential in preventing regressions and ensuring your orthodontic movement stays on course. Though they can be an adjustment, taking the time to care for them properly will go a long way in ensuring continued comfort and wear. If you clean them every day, store them properly, and listen to your orthodontist, you’ll avoid a lot of hassle and cost.

By knowing the basics and following these tips, keeping your retainer clean and safe can be simple and worry-free. If you have any issues or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your orthodontist—your best resource for advice. Get started on your path to better dental health today and reap the lifelong rewards of a beautiful, confident smile.

At Milnor Orthodontics, our experts are here to help you achieve a priceless smile. Call our office at (970) 230-3187 or visit milnororthodontics.com to learn more. We're located at 1103 S. Shields St. in Fort Collins, Colorado.