What Are Teeth Retainers? 

Teeth retainers are normally recommended after orthodontic treatment: this can be standard metal braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign. 

During teeth straightening treatment with braces, your teeth are moved to create a straight smile. This process of moving teeth can result in the roots and the gums loosening around the tooth, increasing the risk of your teeth moving back to their old position – this is called orthodontic relapse. Teeth retainers are designed to keep your teeth in their final position whilst the bones and gums heal to hold your teeth tightly in their new position. 

Retainers are not made to move your teeth, rather to hold them still whilst they settle into their new position.

Teeth retainers can be made from a variety of materials, and are commonly made from metal or from plastic. 

What Types Of Teeth Retainers Are There? 

There are a few different options for retainers after orthodontic treatment, but retainers generally fall into 2 categories: removable and fixed/permanent retainers. 

At Synergy, we offer both fixed permanent retainers and clear removable retainers. 

Permanent retainers are made with a wire and are bonded to the back of the teeth – making it invisible when you smile! 

Our removable retainers are made from clear plastic and are barely visible, making them a popular choice for people who have had Invisalign treatment. They look and feel similar to Invisalign aligners. 

How Do I Know Which Type Of Retainer Is Right For Me? 

Knowing what retainer is right for you can be difficult, but your Synergy dentist can help you make a decision. 

Some benefits of a fixed permanent retainer include: 

• Long lasting – can last up to 20 years with proper care
• Durable and rarely need replacing 
• Not visible from the front of the teeth 
• Fixed to your teeth – so you can’t forget to wear it! 

Fixed retainers do come with some drawbacks though. They can be less comfortable than removable retainers at first, especially if you’re used to the feeling of Invisalign rather than metal braces. Permanent retainers can only be taken off by a dentist, so they can also be more difficult to clean and can trap food and bacteria between the retainer and your teeth, meaning you have to take extra care when brushing to ensure your teeth and retainers are clean. Permanent retainers can also be damaged by certain foods, just like traditional braces, so you may have to avoid hard and crunchy foods like raw carrots or sticky foods like toffees and chewing gum. 

If you don’t like the sound of a fixed retainer, removable retainers are an alternative option. 

Some benefits of removable retainers include: 

• Clear and nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for Invisalign patients 
• Removable for events, eating, and drinking
• Easier to keep clean 
• More comfortable than wire retainers
• No need to change your diet or avoid foods you love!

Removable retainers are popular due to their ease of use, but because they can be easily removed by the patient, lots of people forget to wear their retainer leading to their teeth moving back to their old position over time. Removable retainers are also made of plastic, and are less durable than the metal used for fixed retainers. 

What works for you will usually be decided by your dentist. If you have had metal braces or a fixed retainer and found them uncomfortable, a removable retainer may be a more comfortable option for you. If you have a busy lifestyle or feel you might forget to wear your retainer, your dentist might recommend a fixed permanent retainer to keep your teeth aligned properly. 

FAQ

Are Teeth Retainers Really Necessary After Braces? 

Yes! Teeth retainers are absolutely necessary after braces to prevent your teeth from moving back to their old positions, especially for adults who are more likely to suffer from orthodontic relapse. Children and teenagers have more malleable bones and will heal faster after orthodontic treatment, but will still need to wear a retainer to maintain their smile results. 

If you have a removable retainer, wearing your retainer regularly for the first 6 months is vital to ensure your teeth stay in their new positions and your smile stays straight. After the first 6 months, your dentist will review your progress and give you advice on how often to wear your retainer in the future. 

How Long Do I Need To Wear My Retainers For? 

How long you need to spend wearing your retainers will vary from patient to patient. More severe misalignments where the teeth have been moved by a larger amount will generally need to wear their retainers for longer. 

The first 6 months to 1 year after orthodontic treatment is the most crucial, as this is the period when patients are more likely to suffer from orthodontic relapse. 

Fixed retainers are worn all the time and cannot be taken out, so there’s no need to worry about how long you need to wear them for, because you’re always wearing them. 

People with removable retainers tend to wear their retainers overnight after the first 6 months, though some people may be advised to continue to wear their removable retainers all the time. 

Whilst some people stop wearing their retainers sometime after finishing their orthodontic treatment, it’s preferable to wear a retainer continually after treatment. Maintaining a straight smile is a lifelong commitment, and wearing a retainer helps to keep your teeth in place. 

How Do I Keep My Retainer Clean? 

Keeping your retainer clean is easy with a little bit of knowledge and practice. 

Removable retainers can be easily kept clean. Simply brush your removable retainer gently with a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft bristled toothbrush at the same time as you brush your teeth (twice daily) and disinfect your retainer once a week with a special cleaning solution or as recommended by your dentist. Be careful what you use to clean your removable retainers as some chemicals can discolour, stain, or damage your retainer. Never use boiling water as this can change the shape of your retainer and affect the fit. Take your retainer out to eat or drink anything except water, and rinse your mouth with water before putting your retainer back in. 

Fixed or permanent retainers can be a little tougher to clean, as they are attached to your teeth and cannot be removed for cleaning. Brush your fixed permanent retainer gently as part of your toothbrushing routine, taking extra care to make sure to brush the retainer on all sides. Carefully brush underneath your retainer and between your teeth with a floss threader or an interdental brush to remove any cavity-causing bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend a special toothbrush for cleaning your fixed retainer. You can also help keep your retainer free from food particles by rinsing your mouth a few times with clean drinking water immediately after meals. 

What Will Happen If I Don’t Wear My Removable Retainer?

It’s okay to take your removable retainer out or choose not to wear your removable retainer for a few hours for an event, but forgetting your retainer long term can cause your misalignment to return. 

If you haven’t been wearing your removable retainer as much as you should be, your teeth will usually begin to shift back to their original positions. 

If you remember to start wearing your removable retainer again quickly (for example, you forget your retainer on holiday and start wearing it again when you get home) then your teeth should stay in their straight position without too much harm done. If you find that after a while of forgetting to wear your retainer, your retainer now doesn’t fit anymore, see your dentist for further advice.  

In the worst case scenario, forgetting to wear your retainer may mean you need to go back to wearing braces. 

My Removable Retainer Doesn’t Fit, Can I Wear It Anyway? 

If you haven’t worn your removable retainer for a while and your teeth have started to misalign to the point where your retainer no longer fits properly, starting to wear your retainer again will not straighten your teeth. 

If your removable retainer doesn’t fit anymore, continuing to wear it can lead to discomfort, soreness, ulcers, cuts in the mouth, and even tooth damage. 

If your retainer doesn’t fit properly anymore, feels uncomfortable, or looks worn, it’s a good indicator that it’s time to get your removable retainer replaced. 

I’ve Had Braces From A Different Dentist, Can I Still Get A Retainer From Synergy? 

Of course you can! We’re happy to help any patients. You may choose to come to us for a different type of retainer, for example if your orthodontist doesn’t offer a removable retainer, or you might want to see us for a new retainer. No matter your reason for choosing Synergy, we’re happy to support our patients.