How often do I need to wear my retainer?

Your dentist or orthodontist will give you specific instructions tailored to your case. Typically, you will need to wear your removable retainer full-time for the first few months, followed by nightly wear for a period of time. After that, it’s often recommended to continue wearing it several nights a week to ensure your teeth remain in place.

How do I clean my retainer?

To clean a removable retainer, you can gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and cold water. You can also use a non-abrasive soap or a specialised cleaning tablet. Avoid using hot water, as this can warp the plastic.

What happens if I lose or break my retainer?

If you lose or break your retainer, it is crucial to contact us as soon as possible. Without a retainer, your teeth can begin to shift back to their original position very quickly. We will need to take a new impression to create a replacement, which can prevent the need for further orthodontic treatment.

Retainers

Maintain your beautiful straight smile

Wearing a retainer is an essential part of your orthodontic treatment journey, making the time and effort taken to straighten your teeth completely worthwhile. Retainers are designed to hold your teeth in their new positions, preventing them from moving back to their original alignment. At Wellington Dental Practice, we provide custom retainers that are comfortable, effective and tailored to your needs, helping you maintain your beautiful new smile for a lifetime.

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Why are retainers important?

Following orthodontic treatment, the bones and ligaments that hold your teeth in place need time to stabilise. Without a retainer, your teeth will naturally try to move back to their former positions. This process, known as relapse, can undo all the hard work of your treatment. Wearing your retainer as advised is the only way to ensure your smile remains straight and healthy.

Retainers are simple and comfortable devices. They can be removable and worn while you sleep, or fixed to the back of your teeth where they can’t be seen but work continuously.

What does the process involve?

When your orthodontic treatment is complete, the first thing we do is make sure you are delighted with your new smile! We then take digital impressions of your newly straightened teeth, which are used to create your custom retainer.

Your retainer is created in a specialised dental laboratory. Depending on your case, lifestyle and preferences, you may receive a removable retainer, similar to a gum shield, or a fixed retainer. When ready, we show you how to wear your removable retainer, or fix the thin wire in place to begin retaining your straight smile.

Types of retainer

Clear retainers

Clear minimal soft plastic retainers are worn while you sleep, so they don’t interfere at all with your lifestyle or diet choices. They look just like a clear aligner and work in a similar way, able to be removed in the morning to allow you to carry on your day as normal.

Fixed retainers

Fixed metal bar retainers consist of a thin wire which is bonded to the back of your teeth. The retainer is fixed in place, so it is always at work to keep your teeth in their straight positions. As it is not removable, there is no risk of losing or breaking your retainer when out of your mouth.