Smile Confidently for a Lifetime
Your beautiful new smile is designed to last a lifetime, and wearing your retainers is how you protect it.
After braces or clear aligner treatment in West Ashley, we’ll provide your first set of clear retainers designed to hold your teeth in their new positions and preserve the results you worked so hard to achieve.
The final stage of orthodontic care is just as important as the first. Retainers ensure your smile stays healthy, balanced, and beautifully aligned for years to come.
What does a retainer do?
Your retainers play an essential role in maintaining your orthodontic results.
After braces are removed or your clear aligner treatment is complete, your teeth naturally want to shift back toward their original positions. This is known as orthodontic relapse.
Wearing your retainers helps stabilize your new alignment while the surrounding bone and tissues adapt to your corrected smile. With consistent retainer wear, your results remain secure and your smile continues to look its best.
How long will I wear a retainer after braces or clear aligners?
To maintain the best long-term results, we recommend wearing your retainers every night.
You may hear us say, “Nighttime for a lifetime.” That simple habit is the best way to keep your smile looking just as beautiful years from now as it does the day your treatment ends.
Teeth naturally shift throughout life, but wearing your retainers each night helps prevent unwanted movement and protects your orthodontic investment.
Different Types of Retainers
There are two types of retainers: removable retainers and fixed retainers.
Removable retainers are made of clear, durable plastic similar to clear aligners. They are custom-designed to fit your teeth precisely and are typically worn overnight and removed in the morning.
Fixed retainers, or permanent retainers, are bonded behind the teeth with a thin custom wire. They remain in place continuously and help maintain alignment, most commonly behind the lower front teeth. In some cases, they may also be used behind the upper teeth depending on your individual treatment needs.
Our doctors will recommend the type of retainer best suited to protecting your smile long-term.
How much do retainers cost?
Your first set of retainers is included as part of your orthodontic treatment.
If a retainer is lost or damaged, there will be a replacement fee. If this happens, , please contact our office as soon as possible so we can provide a replacement and help prevent any unwanted shifting.
We also offer retainer insurance that makes retainer replacements convenient and affordable, a benefit that many of our patients take advantage of.
How do I clean my retainers?
When it comes to cleaning retainers, a little daily care goes a long way. Here’s how to keep them clean and clear:
- Clean retainers daily: Clean your retainers every day when you brush your teeth. Use a soft toothbrush (different from your regular toothbrush) and a small amount of mild dish soap to gently brush all surfaces of the retainer, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water before placing them back in your mouth.
- Rinse regularly: Rinse your retainers each time you remove them. This prevents plaque and bacteria from building up while they sit in your case.
- Soak retainers for a deep cleaning: A few times each week, you can give your retainers a deeper clean by soaking them in a retainer cleaning solution such as RetainerBrite®. This helps disinfect and keeps them fresh.
- If your clear retainers are yellowing: This is usually caused by natural plaque and mineral buildup. If that happens, you can soak your retainers in a simple homemade solution made from equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water for about 15–20 minutes. After soaking, gently brush them with a soft toothbrush and rinse thoroughly before wearing them again.
Retainer Tips: Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
- Do store your retainers in their case whenever they are not in your mouth.
- Do clean your retainers daily using a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap.
- Do rinse your retainers thoroughly before placing them back in your mouth.
- Do clean your retainer case regularly with soap and cold water.
- Do soak your retainers in a cleaning solution such as RetainerBrite® several times per week to keep them fresh and disinfected.
Don’ts:
- Don’t expose your retainers to heat. Hot water, dishwashers, or leaving them in a hot car can warp the material and make them ineffective.
- Don’t leave your retainers where pets can reach them. Pets find retainers irresistible to chew!
Protect Your Smile for Life with Retainers in Charleston
Your orthodontic treatment doesn’t end when braces or clear aligners come off. Wearing your retainers is the key to keeping your smile beautifully aligned for years to come.
If you have questions about your retainers or need a replacement, our team at Bocklet Orthodontics is here to help.