You did it, the braces are off, or the aligners are done, and your smile looks better than ever. Now comes the easy part that keeps it that way: your retainer.
Teeth naturally like to drift back toward where they started, and a retainer is what locks in all that hard work for the long haul.
Whether you just finished treatment, your old retainer has seen better days, or you’ve lost one entirely, we’re here to help you keep your smile exactly the way you love it.
Think of your retainer as the insurance policy on your new smile. After treatment, the bone and tissue around your teeth need time to settle into their new positions, and without a retainer, teeth can slowly shift back over the months and years that follow.
Wearing your retainer as directed is the single best thing you can do to enjoy your results for life.
There’s no one-size-fits-all retainer, so we’ll help you choose the option that fits your smile and lifestyle best. We offer two comfortable, proven types:
At your visit, we’ll talk through which type makes the most sense for you.
This is the question we hear most, and the honest answer is that retainers work best when you think of them as a long-term habit. Every smile is a little different, so we’ll give you a personalized plan, but here’s the general idea:
The good news? Nighttime wear is easy to get used to, and it’s a small habit that pays off for a lifetime of straight teeth.
A little everyday care keeps your retainer fresh, clear, and working like new. It only takes a minute:
Treat it well, and your retainer will keep doing its job comfortably for years.
It happens to the best of us. Retainers get left on lunch trays, sat on, or simply wear out over time. The important thing is not to wait, because teeth can begin shifting in as little as a few days without one.
For the best results, think of nighttime retainer wear as a long-term habit. Teeth can shift at any age, so continuing to wear your retainer at night is the surest way to keep your smile straight for life. We’ll give you a personalized schedule.
Clear retainers are virtually invisible and slip over your teeth like an aligner, while Hawley retainers use a thin wire and a durable molded base. Both work beautifully, it comes down to your preference for looks versus longevity, and we’ll help you decide.
Give us a call as soon as you can. If you still have the old one and it fits, keep wearing it in the meantime. Teeth can start to shift quickly, so the sooner we make your replacement, the better.
It depends on the type of retainer and whether we have your records on file, but replacements are straightforward and affordable. Just call your office, and we’ll go over the details with you.
Absolutely. We’re happy to help you protect your smile even if your original treatment was elsewhere. We’ll take a quick look, make sure everything’s in good shape, and fit you for a new retainer.
Whether you’re finishing up treatment or need to replace a retainer, we’re here to help you protect that beautiful smile for years to come. Have questions? We’d love to hear from you. Friendly help is just a call away.
