Keeping Your Smile Straight for Life

Retainers

Whether you’ve just finished orthodontic treatment or you're looking to prevent teeth from moving after years of wear, retainers help preserve your beautiful smile for life

Why Are Retainers Important?

After your braces come off or you finish Invisalign®, your teeth aren’t fully set in place. Without a retainer:

  • Teeth can shift back toward their original positions (called “relapse”)

  • Your bite can become misaligned again

  • You may need repeat orthodontic treatment

Wearing your retainer as directed is the key to lasting results.

Retainer Care Tips

  • Clean removable retainers daily with lukewarm water and a soft brush

  • Avoid hot water, which can warp plastic

  • Store them in a protective case when not in use

  • For fixed retainers, brush and floss carefully around the wire

  • Bring your retainer to your dental visits for checkups

How Long Do I Need to Wear My Retainer?

  • First 1 Year: Most patients need to wear retainers full-time

  • After that: Often worn only at night (as directed by your orthodontist)

  • Long term: Some level of retainer wear is recommended indefinitely to prevent shifting