Retainer

In plain English

What a retainer involves

A retainer is a custom-made appliance that holds teeth in position after braces or aligners have moved them. It is needed because teeth do not stay put by themselves once the braces come off. The fibers in the gums that were stretched during treatment pull the teeth back toward where they started, and the bone around the roots is still firming up. A retainer resists that drift while everything settles, and afterward guards against the slow shifting that happens to most people's teeth with age. There are three common kinds. A clear retainer is a thin plastic tray that snaps over the whole arch. A wire retainer has an acrylic plate with a metal wire across the front teeth. A fixed retainer is a fine wire bonded behind the front teeth and left in place. Which one you get, and how many hours a day you wear it, is set by your orthodontist.

1. 01

   Impressions or a digital scan

   An impression in a tray of putty, or a scan with a small handheld camera, records the exact position of your teeth. This is often done on the day the braces are removed, once the teeth have been cleaned of adhesive.

2. 02

   Making the retainer

   A model of your teeth is produced from the impression or scan, and the retainer is formed over it. Clear trays are heat-molded plastic. Wire retainers are bent and set in acrylic by a technician.

3. 03

   Fitting appointment

   The retainer is tried in to check that it seats fully and feels even. Edges that dig into the gum are trimmed, and the clasps and wire of a wire retainer are adjusted for a snug but comfortable hold.

4. 04

   Bonding, for a fixed retainer

   For a bonded retainer, the backs of the front teeth are cleaned and etched, the wire is positioned, and a small dot of tooth-colored resin is hardened over it on each tooth.

5. 05

   Wear schedule and care

   You are told how many hours to wear it and how that changes over time, how to clean it, and to keep it in its case and away from heat. A fixed retainer comes with a lesson in flossing under the wire.

Who it is usually for

Almost everyone who finishes orthodontic treatment is given retainers, since without them the result tends to relapse. People also need one when a retainer is lost, cracked, warped or no longer fits. The real choice is between types. Clear trays are discreet and easy to replace but can wear through. Wire-and-acrylic retainers are sturdier and adjustable but more visible. A fixed wire works without any effort from you but makes flossing harder and can come unstuck without your noticing. Many orthodontists combine a fixed wire on the lower teeth with a removable retainer. If your teeth have already shifted, ask your orthodontist whether a new retainer is enough or some retreatment is needed.

Fig. 2 — What to expect

What to Expect During Retainer

1. 01Impressions or digital scan of teeth
2. 02Retainer custom-made to fit
3. 03Fitting appointment to check comfort
4. 04Instructions for wear schedule

Before you agree to it

Questions to ask about your retainer

Table 1 — Common reasons

When You Might Need Retainer

• AMaintaining results after braces
• BPreventing teeth from shifting
• CReplacing a lost or broken retainer

Table 2 — Recovery after Retainer

Recovery After Retainer

When can you resume normal activities? Here's a quick guide:

Table 3 — Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Retainer