adult who needs a new retainer

5 Signs You Need a New Retainer

So you just completed your braces or Invisalign® treatment, you’re loving your new smile, and you’re wearing your retainer every night. You know you’ll have to wear it consistently (24/7) for about two weeks, and then you can reduce your wear to nights only.

Now you’re thinking, “well if my retainer and I are in it for the long run, does it need to be replaced at some point?” We’re glad you asked! It certainly does.

Here’s what you need to know about replacing your retainer to maintain a beautiful smile for a lifetime:

How often should you replace your retainer?

How often you should replace your retainer depends on the type of retainer you have and how well you take care of it. If you tend to leave your retainer wrapped in a napkin, mistake it for trash, and throw it away, or you leave your retainer on the table for your dog to chew, you’re probably going to be visiting us for a replacement retainer sooner than later!

The best way to prolong your retainer’s life is by cleaning it 2 to 3 times a day (every time you brush your teeth), soaking it in a cleaning solution regularly, and storing it in a clean retainer case any time it’s not in your mouth.

Invisalign clear retainers typically last about 3 years before they need to be replaced, but all patients are different. Some people may grind and clench their teeth more than others.

Your retainer may need to be replaced sooner than the average replacement time; it all depends on how you care for it. Here are a few ways to tell if you need to replace your retainer:

5 Ways to Tell if You Need a Replacement Retainer

1. Your retainer doesn’t fit.

If your retainer ever feels too tight, it may be because you’re not wearing it enough and your teeth are shifting out of place. You can usually get your teeth back in place by increasing your retainer wear.

Sometimes, your retainer may become loose feeling. Retainers naturally start to loosen up as they wear down, especially if you grind or clench your teeth. It’s important to fix a loose retainer, because an ill-fitting retainer won’t support your teeth, making them likely to shift out of place!

When the teeth shift out of place, or ‘relapse’ back to their pre-treatment position, you may need another orthodontic treatment to realign them. Take care of your retainer and replace it when necessary to ensure that you keep the smile you worked so hard for.
It’s also important that you don’t use any hot water with your retainer, especially a Clear Invisalign retainer. Don’t put your retainer through the dishwasher or use any harsh chemicals on it; this is how retainers become warped and distorted.

2. You have a cracked retainer.

If you notice some small cracks in your retainer, or you dropped it and it created a crack, this indicates that you’ll need to replace your retainer.

Over time, small cracks will progress into larger cracks, which will reduce the effectiveness of your retainer and create additional spaces for bacteria to grow. Bacteria growth is the last thing you want; wearing a dirty retainer can lead to bad breath, cavities and gum disease.

3. You have a chipped retainer.

Similar to a cracked retainer, a chipped retainer must be replaced as soon as possible. Chips can reduce the effectiveness of your retainer, and they can damage your cheeks or tongue if the chips create any sharp ends.

It’s never a good idea to fit a chipped or cracked retainer in your mouth. You don’t want pieces of your retainer falling off or your tongue getting nicked by a crack.

4. You lose your retainer.

This one is a fairly obvious way to determine if you need a new retainer. If you lose your retainer, you’ll have to get a replacement retainer. This happens more often than you may think! Retainers end up in the trash because they get wrapped in a napkin, in the dog’s mouth, at the restaurant you just ate at, in your hotel drawer—it happens.

If you lose your retainer, it’s important that you give us a call as soon as possible. We want to prevent your teeth from shifting, especially if it’s toward the beginning of your retention phase when the teeth are most susceptible to moving.

5. Your bottom retainer is loose.

If you have a “bonded” retainer on your lower front teeth, it’s important to know when to replace it. These retainers are sometimes called “permanent” retainers, because they can’t be removed on your own; they have to be removed by your orthodontist, but they aren’t truly permanent and will likely have to be replaced or have bonding added to it at some point.

Permanent retainers should stay in place for quite a while, so you shouldn’t experience a loose bottom retainer as long as you properly care for it. If your bottom retainer does loosen up, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll schedule an appointment to reattach your retainer.

How do I get a new retainer?

You simply contact our team or fill out an appointment request form and let us know that you need a replacement retainer when we contact you!

If you weren’t previously one of our patients, we can still create a new retainer for you. We will discuss retainer costs when you visit us or reach out to us.

Still have questions about replacement retainers?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! Our orthodontists are some of the most experienced in the area. We’re here to guide you and your child through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment.

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in St Petersburg, or Seminole, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.

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