Retainers After Braces: FAQs

There are often questions about what occurs once the braces have been removed from your teeth, especially around the use of retainers. Here are some commonly asked questions and the answers that can help.

What steps are necessary to keep a retainer clean?

Clean the retainer on a nightly basis as instructed by the dentist. For those who wear their retainer around the clock, be sure to rinse it off with warm water when taking it out of the mouth. Give it another thorough rinse before putting it back in. This rinsing will help prevent the buildup of bacteria. It is possible to clean most retainers with a small amount of toothpaste. However, for retainers that are at risk for scratching or other damage, use a denture cleaner or cleaner designed specifically for the purpose of cleaning dentures. Many different specialty products are available to keep retainers fresh, clean and odor-free.

What kinds of retainers are available?

Orthodontic retainers serve the purpose of keeping teeth in their new positions after the removal of braces. In general, there are three main types of retainers after braces. The clear plastic retainer is one of the more popular varieties as it is translucent. This clear retainer positions on the upper teeth as quickly as one or two days after removal of the braces. This retainer looks similar to Invisalign retainers. Users typically wear them at night and they last around 24 months on average. Once the retainer wears out, the dentist might decide it is prudent to replace it with a conventional wire retainer.

Wire retainers are typically what dentists choose for patients to wear after the use of clear or bonded retainer ends. Wire retainers are adjustable, making subtle tooth movement possible. In certain cases, a wire retainer works in place of braces to remedy limited crowding. The bonded retainer typically goes behind the bottom teeth once removal of the braces occurs. This wire bonds to the teeth through the use of a composite material. Dentists sometimes choose this type of retainer for upper teeth. If there is any chance of bite interference, however, bottom teeth are the only ones that receive them.

Is it really necessary to wear a retainer following the removal of braces?

Because it might take several months for the periodontal ligaments and the bone in a patient's mouth to remember the position of the teeth following their recent movement, it is necessary to keep wearing the retainer after the dentist removes the braces. The retainer serves the purpose of keeping the teeth in the proper positions.

Does it matter how people wear their retainers?

It is essential for users to wear the retainer in the manner recommended by the dentist. Fail to follow his or her directions and the teeth might end up shifting. It is especially important to wear the retainer properly in the first few months or years after removing braces from the teeth. For the most part, the average person wears his or her retainer for a minimum of six months to a year after removing the braces. To learn how retainers can play a role in your dental health, make an appointment today.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Bellevue Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, request an appointment in our Bellevue dental office here: https://www.implantdentalbellevue.com. Or call us at (425) 249-9186.