Retainers

After all of the hard work you dedicate to your braces or Invisalign® treatment, you deserve to love your smile for years to come.

Wearing your retainer is the final (and most important) phase of your orthodontic treatment in Issaquah. It’s up to you to maintain your results through proper retainer wear and care!

What does a retainer do?

Your retainer is worn once your braces or Invisalign treatment is complete, and it plays the key role of holding your teeth in their beautiful new position to prevent them from ‘relapsing’.

Once active orthodontic treatment is complete, your teeth are susceptible to ‘orthodontic relapse’, or reverting back to their original pre-treatment positions. Your teeth require a period of retention to ensure that they stabilize in the proper alignment.

How long will I wear a retainer after braces or Invisalign?

At the beginning of your retention phase, you’ll be instructed to wear your retainer full-time for one year. This is how we achieve and maintain the best results!

After about a year, you will be able to reduce your wear to nights only. Because teeth have a tendency to shift throughout life, it’s important that you wear your retainer at night, indefinitely.

Types of Retainers

Retainers are essential for preserving the results of your orthodontic treatment and keeping your teeth in their correct positions. At Greater Northwest Orthodontics, we offer both fixed and removable retainers, each with unique benefits.

Fixed Retainers

A fixed retainer consists of a thin wire bonded to the back of your teeth, usually on the lower front teeth. It provides continuous support to maintain your new smile and eliminates the need to remember to wear a retainer daily.

Fixed retainers are especially beneficial for patients at higher risk of tooth shifting. However, they do require diligent oral hygiene, as cleaning around the wire can be more challenging. Regular flossing with special tools, such as floss threaders, is essential to prevent plaque buildup.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are flexible and convenient. Worn as directed, typically at night, these retainers are easy to clean and allow you to eat and brush without restrictions. However, consistent use is crucial to prevent teeth from shifting. Misplacing or forgetting to wear a removable retainer can compromise your results over time.

FAQs About Retainers

Patients who are weighing the options of fixed and removable retainers often ask the following:

Why Do I Need a Retainer After Orthodontic Treatment?

Retainers help maintain the alignment of your teeth after braces or Invisalign. Without a retainer, teeth can shift back to their original positions over time.

What’s The Difference Between Fixed and Removable Retainers?

Fixed retainers are bonded to the back of your teeth and provide continuous support. Removable retainers can be taken out and are typically worn at night.

How Long Do I Need to Wear a Retainer?

For best results, retainers should be worn indefinitely. Initially, you may need to wear them full-time, then transition to nighttime use as directed by your orthodontist.

How Do I Clean My Retainer?

Removable retainers should be cleaned daily with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, as it can warp plastic retainers. Fixed retainers require careful flossing with tools like floss threaders.

Retainer Cost

You will receive one custom retainer as a part of your treatment plan. If you happen to lose or break your retainer, there will be a replacement fee.

If you lose or damage your retainer, please let us know as soon as possible. We want you to have a new retainer as soon as possible to prevent your teeth from shifting out of place.

The ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of Retainer Wear & Care

DO NOT

Do not expose your retainers to heat! Your retainer can melt or warp and become ineffective, so it’s important that you do not put them in the dishwasher, use hot water on them, or leave them in your car.
Do not leave your retainer around your pets. You don’t want to find out how much they love chewing retainers!

Do put your retainer in your retainer case every time you remove it from your mouth.

Do clean your retainer every time you brush your teeth. You can use a mild dish soap and an extra soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your retainer.

Do clean your retainer case regularly. You want your clean retainer to be placed back in a clean carrying case every time. You can use a mild soap and lukewarm water to wash your retainer case daily, or at least a few times a week.

Do soak your retainer in a retainer cleaning solution (like Retainer Brite) to disinfect your retainer a few times a week.
Do clean your retainer before and after placing it in the mouth. Because the material used for fabrication is slightly porous, plaque tends to cling to the surfaces. Be sure to rinse the retainers thoroughly after cleaning to remove any cleanser or soap residue.

Have questions about retainers?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

Dr. Tripti Pawar and our experienced team are here to guide you and support you along your treatment process, while you achieve the perfect smile.

Ready to get started? Request your complimentary consultation at our conveniently located orthodontist office in Issaquah today!