Orthodontic retainers are the last and most important part of long-term orthodontic maintenance. You have to wear your retainers for as long as you want to have straight teeth, which is forever. Retainers, just like anything else, do not last forever. How do you know that you need replacement ones.
- You need to replace your retainers if you have lost them. While you are waiting for you new retainers, be sure to wear the spare retainers included in your Invisalign overcorrection aligners. I have programmed the last 8 aligners to be the same size and shape as your retainers. They will hold your teeth in place until the new retainers arrive.
- You need to replace any broken or cracked retainers. Retainers that are broken do not serve their purpose and can make your teeth shift in an unpredictable way. They can also hurt your gums, tongue, and cheeks.
- If you are clenching and grinding your teeth, you will need to replace your retainers more frequently since the plastic will be wearing down faster. Some patients even decide to go on a retainer subscription and have new retainers delivered to them periodically.
- If your retainers appear very dirty and cannot be scrubbed clean, you will also want to replace them. You should be wearing retainers that are always sparkly clean.
Call my office at (506) 633-0555 if you need a new set of retainers.
I’m Dr. MacKenzie: an orthodontist in New Brunswick, Canada serving Saint John, the Rothesay/ Quispamsis area and Charlotte County. I have offices in uptown Saint John, Rothesay and St. Stephen. Click here for a free consult.