Retainers: why they are essential after orthodontics

In short: retainers are the part that holds all the orthodontic work in place. After moving the teeth, they tend to want to return to where they were before, and the retainer is what prevents this. Skipping them is the easiest way to lose the result that took you so much effort.

Why do I have to wear a retainer if I’ve already finished?

It’s the question almost everyone asks when they finish their orthodontic treatment, and it’s understandable: you’ve put up with months of treatment and now they’re telling you that you haven’t quite finished yet. The explanation is simple. When teeth are moved, the bone and the fibres that hold them in place need time to settle into the new position. During that period (and, in part, always) the teeth have a “memory” and tend to drift back to where they were.

The retainer is exactly what prevents that return journey. It doesn’t move teeth: it keeps them still while everything stabilises. That’s why it is just as essential as the braces or aligners you wore before.

What really happens if I don’t use it?

What happens is what’s called relapse: the teeth gradually move back towards their original position. It usually doesn’t happen overnight, but rather a slow drift that one day you notice in the mirror. And here’s the frustrating part: you can lose in a few months what you achieved in one or two years of treatment.

It’s the most typical shame we see. Someone makes a big effort with their invisible orthodontics or their braces, is happy with the result, and after a while the teeth have become a little crooked again because they left the retainer in a drawer. Avoiding it is in your hands and costs very little.

What types of retainer are there?

There are basically two main families, and they are often combined:

• Fixed retainer: a fine wire bonded to the back of the teeth (the side you can’t see). You don’t take it out yourself, it works on its own and is very convenient in that sense. In exchange, it needs to be cleaned with a little more care so that tartar doesn’t build up.
• Removable retainer: a clear aligner-like tray that is normally worn at night. It’s easy to take out and put in, but that’s where the risk lies: if you don’t put it in, it does nothing.

Which one is right for you depends on your case and on how your teeth were moved. Often a fixed retainer is placed in the front area and a removable night-time one on the top; every mouth dictates its own.

How long do I have to wear it?

The mindset here has changed quite a lot. People used to talk about “a couple of years and that’s it”. Today the trend is to maintain retention for a long time, often indefinitely in a night-time version or with a fixed retainer you barely even notice. It sounds like a lot, but wearing a tray while you sleep or having a wire that can’t be seen is a very small price for keeping the result for life.

Your dentist will give you the exact guidance based on your case. There’s no single rule for everyone.

How do I look after my retainer day to day?

A few simple habits and little more:

• With the fixed one, be extra careful with cleaning in that area: careful brushing and floss or interdental brushes so that tartar doesn’t form around the wire. Looking after your gums properly is key, and if they bleed or become inflamed it’s worth checking; that’s where periodontics comes in.
• With the removable one, clean it every day and always keep it in its little case. The great enemy of the removable retainer is the napkin at the café: that’s where they end up in the bin by accident.
• Attend your check-ups. Having your dentist check from time to time that the retainer is still in place and properly bonded prevents nasty surprises.

And what about aesthetics? Having your teeth well positioned and held in place also helps them look better, and if afterwards you want to take a further step, whitening is an option many people consider once they finish their orthodontic treatment.

Notice: this guide is informational and does not replace a consultation. The type of retainer and the length of use can only be indicated by your dentist after assessing your case.

If you had orthodontic treatment a while ago and don’t know whether your retention is still good (or you stopped it and notice your teeth moving), don’t wait for it to get worse. Write to us from the contact page and we’ll take a look.