Retainer – What Should You Consider When Wearing It?

Straightening teeth with braces takes one to three years on average, yet some patients of NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic are surprised to learn that they will have to wear a retainer for even longer to keep the result. After braces or aligners are removed, the retainer fixes the teeth in their new position and prevents them from moving again, which is why at our dental clinic the retention stage is also included in the treatment plan.

If you are currently being treated with braces or aligners, or are planning teeth straightening in the future, you are probably wondering how long you will need to wear a retainer, what the difference is between its types and what to do if it breaks or gets lost. In this blog, the expert orthodontists of NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic discuss these questions in detail and explain what you should consider to maintain the result of your treatment.

What is a retainer and why is it essential after braces?

A retainer is an orthodontic appliance used after the active phase of treatment with braces or aligners is complete. By this time the teeth are already straightened, but the tissues and bone around them need time to adapt to the new position. During this period the teeth tend to drift back towards their original position, so the retainer holds them in the straightened state.

Retainers can be fixed or removable. Both types are used at NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic:

• A fixed retainer is a thin metal wire bonded to the inner surface of the front teeth. It is not visible from the outside and does not need to be removed daily.
• A removable retainer is also called a tray. It is made of a transparent material, and its shape is determined from an impression or a digital scan of the teeth. The tray is almost invisible, is removed before eating and is easy to clean.

The orthodontist determines the type of retainer and the wearing regime individually. They take into account your age, the severity of the bite disorder, the initial condition of the teeth and the result achieved. For example, if gaps between the teeth were closed during treatment, you may need a fixed retainer so that the teeth do not shift and the gaps do not reappear.

How long is it recommended to wear it?

After active orthodontic treatment is complete, a removable retainer usually needs to be worn 10 to 12 hours a day. This regime lasts from six months to a year, although the orthodontist sets the exact period according to your condition. Later they will check how well the teeth are holding their new position, and if their position is no longer changing, the tray will be worn only at night.

In adulthood you may need to wear a retainer for longer, because the tissues around the teeth need more time to adapt to the new position.

How should you care for a retainer?

A retainer needs daily care, because plaque and food debris accumulate both on the tray and around a fixed retainer. Without regular cleaning, the risk of tooth and gum problems increases and you may later need caries treatment or other dental procedures. To avoid this, the orthodontists of NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic recommend following these rules:

1. Clean the tray every day with a soft brush and cool water. Do not use hot water, so that the material does not deform;
2. Remove the tray before eating and brush your teeth before putting it back in, so that no food debris gets trapped underneath;
3. Use a water flosser to clean a fixed retainer. Ordinary floss cannot pass under the wire, so it does not remove the debris that collects there well;
4. When you are not wearing the tray, keep it in its special case. Do not wrap it in a napkin, as you may lose it or throw it away by accident;
5. Schedule a visit to the dentist once every six months and have a professional cleaning. The dentist will remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas and also check the condition of the fixed retainer.

What should you do if the retainer breaks or gets lost?

If your retainer breaks, comes off or gets lost, contact your orthodontist and schedule a visit in the coming days. If less than a year has passed since the end of treatment, do not postpone the visit, because during this period the teeth can shift even within a few weeks. Also, do not try to re-bond a fixed retainer yourself.

At NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic, a three-dimensional model of the mouth is created and stored on the day the braces are removed. If your tray is lost or broken, the orthodontist rescans your teeth and compares the data with the stored model to check whether the position of the teeth has changed. A new tray is then made. If a fixed retainer is damaged, the orthodontist re-bonds it or replaces the damaged part at the same visit.

Orthodontic treatment at NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic from diagnostics to retention

NB Dental – Nino Beridze’s Clinic has been operating since 2010, and orthodontics is one of its main areas. The clinic’s expert orthodontists have many years of experience in treating both common and complex cases.

At the first stage, the orthodontist analyses the facial proportions and smile and assesses the bite and the relationship of the jaws. Using digital scanning and 3D diagnostics data, they examine the initial condition of the teeth and jaws in detail, then choose the treatment method and draw up an individual plan according to which the teeth are straightened.

Orthodontic treatment and follow-up checks take place in one space, and the retainer is also made in the clinic. If a periodontist, surgeon or another specialist needs to be involved in the treatment, the orthodontist and the specialists involved coordinate the treatment plan with each other. The team discusses each stage with you in advance and takes care of the result, your oral health and making sure you feel calm and comfortable during your visit.

Frequently asked questions