Why is it important to wear retainers to maintain my smile after completing orthodontic treatment?
When you have a beautiful smile, you’ll want to keep your teeth in their new position. That is why retainers are necessary after braces. It is extremely important to wear your retainers because your teeth are supported in the bone, which is a living tissue, that can naturally change over time. Since teeth can shift throughout your lifetime, a retainer helps control this movement. Our team will help to answer any and all questions you may have about retainers and their care.
Wearing Your Retainer
We strongly recommend that retainers be worn 24 hours a day (except when brushing or eating meals) for the first 12 months after orthodontics is complete. Then you can wear them at nighttime only (while you are sleeping). This should minimize the amount of shifting that occurs once braces are removed. Many people wonder how long they should wear their retainers, even just at night. The answer is indefinite. Keep wearing your retainer as long as you want to keep your perfect smile and avoid shifting teeth.
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is a custom-made piece of plastic (acrylic) or metal that is used to hold the teeth in place once they have been moved into their ideal position. Most retainers are removable; however, some are cemented in place. Each retainer option will benefit different people. We will recommend the best retainer for you based on your specific needs. But, all retainers require special attention and care. During your appointment, we will go over the care steps for your retainer. Including cleaning, storing, and wearing them.
Vivera Retainers
Vivera is a retainer option made by Invisalign. Vivera retainers are 30% stronger than most other clear retainer materials. They come as 4 sets of retainers (8 retainers total). One you can wear right away, the other three you can keep in a safe place for future use. For example, if you lose one, break one, or your best friend’s dog eats one, you still have your backups, made from the same tooth position as your first retainer! They are great for students who go away to school or study abroad since a backup set of retainers can be safely left at home.
Retainers are an important dental appliance. You can spend all the time and money on fixing your teeth and jaw with braces, to only have it reversed by not wearing a retainer. Our team understands that stuff happens, if you need a new retainer, we can get one for you.
Contact Our Office
If you have lost or broken your retainer, please contact our office immediately to schedule an appointment and find out about our replacement fees. We always welcome questions about the retention process so feel free to contact us by phone at (775) 413-2976 or fill out an online form to set up an appointment.