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How to Take Care of Retainers after Your Braces are Removed
When orthodontic treatment for your misaligned or crooked teeth is completed, wearing retainers is highly recommended after the braces are removed. This is because teeth have a tendency to go back to their previous position even after wearing braces for years. They can take a long time to adjust to their new positions and retainers help maintain them by controlling this natural shifting. However, retainers need care and maintenance too to avoid dental problems. In today’s blog post, we’ll discuss retainers and how to take care of them.What are Retainers?
It’s a piece of metal or acrylic mould that is custom made for each individual by an orthodontist or a general dentist. The dentist takes the impression of the newly positioned teeth after removing the braces. This impression is then sent to the dental lab to create the mould and placed onto the teeth of the patient in a separate appointment. It’s recommended that retainers should be worn for several years.Different Types of Retainers
There are two types of retainers available. The dentist thoroughly examines the clinical needs of individual patients to determine the right type of retainer for each case. However, the desire of the patient and the ease of maintenance are also taken into consideration to suit individual needs.- Fixed Retainers: This retainer type is made of thin wire that stretches across several teeth and is bonded across the back of the upper or lower front teeth. The bonding is done with a type of cement which is similar to that used on the brace brackets. It’s the best solution for keeping newly straightened teeth in perfect position.
- Removable Retainers: This type of retainer is a combination of wire, acrylic materials and clasps. The wire stretches across the front of the upper or lower teeth which is kept in place by the help of the clasps that insert in and around the back of the teeth. It is removable but should be worn daily as advised by the dentist. However, removable retainers come with the disadvantage of changing shape when exposed to high heat.
Cleaning and Maintaining Retainers
Fixed retainers take more effort to clean and maintain. You need to use a floss threader to reach the interproximal spaces or the difficult areas between the teeth. Removable retainers are easier to clean. They can be cleaned with a regular toothbrush and toothpaste but toothpaste can dull the appearance of the retainer if it’s made of acrylic. Special retainer cleaners or denture cleaners are the best options for cleaning removable retainers as they also help to clean the bacteria sticking to them. Periodic maintenance of both types of retainers includes routine dental checkups with your regular dentist or orthodontist. He/she will check in and around the retainers to ensure that they are properly placed. The dentist will also check for cavities and make sure that the teeth supporting the retainers are plaque and tartar free. Besides preventing shifting of teeth after braces, retainers can also help in various other mouth problems such as tongue thrust and speech problems. Ensure a beautifully aligned smile by properly caring for your retainers after braces. At Dentistry on Dusk in Brampton, our team of dental experts offers complete dental care for your entire family. Call us today at 905-453-7777 or write to us to make an appointment.FAQs
Why is wearing a retainer necessary even after braces have successfully straightened your teeth?
Even after years of orthodontic treatment, teeth have a natural tendency to shift towards their original positions once braces are removed. This is because teeth take a long time to fully adjust and stabilize in their new positions. A retainer controls this natural shifting and keeps teeth in their corrected alignment, which is why wearing one consistently for several years after braces are removed is strongly recommended by orthodontists and dentists.
How is a retainer made and how is it fitted to a patient's teeth?
After braces are removed, the dentist or orthodontist takes a precise impression of the newly positioned teeth. This impression is then sent to a dental lab where a custom mould is created for that individual patient. The retainer is fitted during a separate follow-up appointment to ensure an accurate and comfortable fit. Since every patient’s dental structure is unique, retainers are never one-size-fits-all—each one is tailored to the individual’s clinical needs.
What are the main differences between fixed and removable retainers?
A fixed retainer has a fine wire attached to the back of the upper or lower front teeth using dental cement, offering a permanent solution that requires no patient effort to wear consistently. A removable retainer combines wire, acrylic material, and clasps that hold it in place around the back teeth — it can be taken out for cleaning but must be worn daily as directed. One key drawback of removable retainers is that they can change shape when exposed to high heat, so care must be taken during storage.
What is the best way to clean a removable retainer without damaging it?
Removable retainers can be cleaned with a regular toothbrush, but standard toothpaste is not ideal as its mild abrasives can dull the surface of acrylic retainers over time. The most effective cleaning options are specially formulated retainer cleaners or denture cleaning solutions, which not only remove surface debris but also eliminate bacteria that cling to the retainer material. Keeping the retainer clean is vital for maintaining both the retainer itself and the overall hygiene of the surrounding teeth and gums.
Can retainers serve any purpose beyond preventing teeth from shifting after braces?
Yes. While their primary role is to maintain the new position of teeth following orthodontic treatment, retainers can also assist with other oral health concerns. They have been found to help with tongue thrust (a habit where the tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing or speech), and they can support improvement in certain speech problems. Regular dental checkups are also important while wearing retainers, as the dentist will monitor for cavities and ensure the supporting teeth remain free of plaque and tartar buildup.
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