Retainers – To Wear or Not to Wear

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Greenberg Orthodontics & TMJ Airway

One of the most important things that I stress to my orthodontic patients is that they need to wear their retainer after treatment. I know that this is something that many patients wish weren’t true. In fact, I also know that many patients do what they can to convince themselves that they are different and their teeth are different, so they will be fine without the retainer. That is why, when I saw someone post this distressed request for advice on an orthodontic forum, I realized that maybe stressing this need just one more time would be important:

Hi, about 3 years ago i had braces put in and i was very pleased with the results after the 2 year period, so pleased in fact that i refused to wear my retainer, i was so stupid thinking that it would be ok and now my teeth are going back to how they was. Its becoming embarrasing to even smile.

I have found my retainer and put it in, its extremely painful at the moment but i am willing to do this if it means my teeth will be straight again, but my question is… i have gone at least a year without my retainer so will wearing it now still give me a chance or isit too late? and how long will i need to wear it for so they are permanently straight?

Hawley Retainers

The Hawley retainer is one of the most common types of retainers. It is a removable retainer made of a combination of a metal wire that typically surrounds the six anterior teeth and is designed to keep your teeth in place. This retainer is made from impressions of your teeth so that it fits snugly and comfortably in the roof of your mouth, while the wire and acrylic framing keeps your teeth in an ideal position. The acrylic can also be personalized with a large number of colors or patterns.

Essix (Clear) Retainers

The Essix retainer is a transparent removable retainer that fits over the entire arch of your teeth. This clear or transparent retainer fits over the entire arch of teeth and is produced from a mold. Similar to Invisalign’s clear aligner trays, Essix retainers have no metal or wires. They can also be used to produce minor tooth movements and can be helpful in prevention of tooth wear due to tooth grinding at night.

Bonded Retainers

Bonded lingual retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of your lower canines. Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our team at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics encourage our patients with bonded lingual retainers to be careful with their bite as the bonding material may break due to incorrect biting and cause your teeth to shift. As with removable retainers, it is important to keep your bonded retainers clean. When brushing, make sure to carefully clean the inside of your lower teeth, as well as the wire itself.

The retention phase of treatment begins when the patient’s braces are removed. Retainers are worn full time, typically for the first nine months, except while eating. Retainers should also be removed before brushing your teeth.

• Wear your retainers full time until the doctor instructs otherwise. Wearing them at night ensures that your pearly whites won’t relapse.
• Take your retainers out when eating and always put retainers in their case. (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should always be in a retainer case.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, give us a call immediately or contact us online.
• Remove retainers when swimming or during any sporting activity in which the retainers could fall out and get broken or lost (cheerleading, basketball, etc.) or when you should be wearing a mouth guard (football, soccer, etc.).

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t hesitate to give your orthodontist a call. I know that at my Pasadena orthodontic clinic, I’m happy to help patients out and get a new retainer ready for them. Reach out so we can keep your orthodontic results stable and your smile aligned. Staying consistent with wear protects your orthodontic investment.