There’s no better feeling than having your perfect smile revealed after months or years of orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners! You have a beautiful smile, brushing and flossing are now easier, and you are back to eating your favorite foods. However, your teeth will only stay in their perfectly aligned positions if you wear a retainer consistently.
Like glasses, shoes, and many other things in life, your retainer will need to be replaced when it starts to show signs of wear and tear. Fortunately, if you commit to proper retainer care, you’ll be able to extend the life of your retainer before you need to consider a replacement.
Here’s what you need to know about when to replace your retainer, and how to keep your retainer in the best possible condition. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist if you notice signs that your retainer needs replaced.
5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Retainer
Broken or deteriorated retainer -- Missing parts or chipped components can reduce the effectiveness of your retainer. They can also injure your cheeks or tongue if the chip creates any sharp spots. Clear retainers can naturally wear on the biting surfaces over time. If these areas of wear progress into large enough holes, this leaves room for teeth to shift and may cause changes in your bite.
Cracked retainer -- Cracks can compromise a retainer's structural integrity and leave you vulnerable to injury. Over time, small cracks can progress into larger cracks, which will reduce the effectiveness of your retainer and create spaces for bacteria to grow.
Retainer no longer fits -- To keep your teeth in their perfectly aligned positions, the retainer should adapt well and not be too loose or too tight. Retainers naturally start to loosen up over time. It’s important to have a loose retainer evaluated for adjustment or replacement because your teeth may not be supported, which means they’re likely to shift out of place.
There’s buildup -- Calcium buildup is normal, but a lot of it can prevent a retainer from seating well and may prevent you from wanting to wear it. Buildup is more often to occur on your retainers if you live in an area with hard water as calcium is notorious for leaving mineral deposits on surfaces. Have your retainer evaluated if you experience stubborn buildup. If a thorough cleaning doesn’t work, it may be time for new retainers.
Retainer smells bad -- If you don’t clean your retainers regularly, they can take on an unpleasant odor. Wearing a dirty retainer can lead to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. In fact, research has found that over half of retainers carry bacteria that aren't usually found in the mouth. This included microbes such as Candida (a kind of fungus that can start out harmless but can lead to a yeast infection) and Staphylococcus (a group of bacteria responsible for some infections). While not all participants in the study actually had infections, this was an important discovery because it showed that it is possible to develop illnesses from the bacteria on retainers if they are not cleaned properly.
How often should you replace your retainer?
How often you should replace your retainer depends on the type of retainer you have and how well you have taken care of it.
Hawley retainers can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years with proper care! These traditional, removable acrylic retainers tend to be strong and long-lasting.
Essix retainers (removable clear retainers) typically last about 3 to 5 years before they need to be replaced. Patients that grind or clench tend to need these replaced more frequently.
Vivera retainers (similar to Invisalign®) are also removable clear retainers, but tend to last a bit longer than an essix. These typically last about 4 to 8 years.
Bonded retainers (also referred to as fixed or “permanent” retainers) typically last 8 to 15 years, depending on the type and how well they are cared for. Some bonded retainers are only affixed to two teeth, while others are adhered to multiple teeth. If you have a tooth become unbonded from your fixed retainer, it is usually a sign that you’ll have additional teeth become unbonded over the next year and should consider having it replaced.
Your retainer may need to be replaced sooner than the average replacement time; it all depends on how you wear and care for it.
How to Keep Your Retainer in the Best Possible Condition
Rates of orthodontic relapse suggest retainers need to be worn long term. The best way to prolong your retainer’s life is by cleaning regularly and storing it properly. As Dr. Godley always says, “It’s in your face, or in your case!”
To help maintain and maximize the life of your retainer, make sure to:
Wash your hands before handling a retainer.
Clean your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush each morning and evening.
Soak your retainer weekly in a recommended cleaner.
Consider using an ultrasonic cleaning device for your retainer.
Never use hot water or harsh chemicals (like bleach) to clean retainers.
Store your retainer in a protective case when it’s not in your mouth.
Keep the retainer away from pets.
How to Know if Your Retainer is Fitting Correctly
Your retainer should feel snug when it’s in place, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you are experiencing throbbing pain when your retainer is in place, or it gives you a headache, these are signs that your retainer hasn’t been worn enough or it may be damaged. It is important that you never force your retainer in your mouth. If you can’t fit it back in your mouth easily, contact your orthodontist to have it evaluated for adjustments or replacement. If your retainer falls out of your mouth when you speak, or easily moves out of place, these are signs that it’s too loose. Loose retainers should be adjusted or replaced.
How Do I Get a New Retainer?
Contact our team at Godley Family Orthodontics or reserve an appointment online to let us know that you need a replacement retainer.
If you weren’t previously one of our patients, we can still create a new retainer for you. We can discuss retainer costs when you visit us or reach out to us.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our orthodontic team with any questions you may have! Our experienced orthodontist, Dr. Godley, and our friendly team are here for you and your family every step of the way.
About the Author
Dr. Danielle Godley earned her dental doctorate degree (DDS) from Indiana University School of Dentistry, and Certificate of Orthodontics from the University of Michigan. During her orthodontic residency, Dr. Godley also defended a master’s thesis on retention. If you or your child need a retainer, Dr. Godley can help, as retainers are a vital part of maintaining a straight and beautiful smile. Schedule an appointment on our website or call (317) 913-2828 for an evaluation.
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