Retainers

Maintaining Your New, Beautiful Smile

Retainers

Finishing your braces or Invisalign® treatment and finally unveiling your new, beautiful smile is an exciting time! However, in order to maintain your new smile, you must regularly wear a retainer. When worn as directed, this appliance can help prevent your teeth from shifting and protect your investment in your smile. Holbert Family Orthodontics in Richmond and New Kent, VA offers several retainer options to help you prevent your teeth from shifting and give you a beautiful smile for years to come.

How Long Do I Need To Wear My Retainer?

The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is crucial to maintaining your beautiful smile. Without retainers, your teeth can easily shift back into place, and warrant future orthodontic treatment. During the first few weeks after you get your braces off or finish Invisalign® treatment, you will need to wear it at all times, unless eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. Following this period, Dr. Holbert believes that the best way to protect your smile is to wear it indefinitely, usually just at night.

Types of Retainers

There are a few different types you can wear following your orthodontic treatment with Holbert Family Orthodontics. These include:

A traditional retainer is made of metal and acrylic material. The wires wrap around the upper and lower arches of the teeth, and can be removed to eat, drink or brush your teeth.

Unlike traditional retainers and Invisalign® Vivera retainers, fixed retainers can not be removed. Fixed retainers are typically used on the lower front teeth, which are particularly susceptible to shifting. This retainer is custom-made to your teeth, and attached to the back of the teeth using adhesive.

Invisalign® Vivera retainers use the same, comfortable Invisalign® clear aligner technology to maintain your new smile. They are clear retainers. The Vivera retainer can be removed to eat, drink or brush your teeth.

Which Retainer Is Right For Me?

The type that you use following orthodontic treatment will depend on your specific needs. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks. There are a few points to consider before selecting one. Fixed options will not get lost or damaged, as they cannot be removed. However, this makes maintaining good dental hygiene in that area difficult. On the other hand, traditional and Invisalign® Vivera retainers are removable, making it easy to eat your favorite foods and practice good oral hygiene. However, removable types can easily become damaged or lost if not properly cared for.

What Happens If I Don’t Wear My Retainer?

Wearing your retainer as suggested by Dr. Holbert is crucial to maintaining the results of your orthodontic treatment and ensuring the long-term health and stability of your teeth and bite.

It helps hold your teeth in place, preventing them from shifting back towards their original positions. As your teeth shift, they can become misaligned again, causing issues with your bite, appearance and overall dental health. You may also experience problems with your bite, such as difficulty chewing or increased wear on your teeth. These are just a few reasons why we recommend you stick to the program! Trust us, the benefits outweigh the tiny nuisance of wearing your retainer.

Tips For Caring For Your Retainers

Retainers— particularly removable options— can easily be damaged or lost if they are not cared for. Furthermore, plaque can easily build up on them if they are not cleaned. For best results, follow Dr. Holbert’s care tips:

  • Always be careful when putting in and removing them

  • Return your appliance to their case when you are not wearing them

  • Keep them away from pets and small children

  • Regularly clean it using cold water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque buildup

  • Avoid putting them near heat, such as a hot car, as the material can warp

  • Only put them on clean teeth