Maintaining your straighter smile
If you have undergone months of orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile, it’s understandable to want to keep it that way. Retainers are a very important final step of treatment, able to keep your teeth in their new positions for the long term.
There are a variety of different retainers available, including fixed and removable options. Clear removable retainers are similar to an Invisalign aligner, while fixed retainers consist of a single wire on the back of the teeth.
Book an appointment
Why do I need to wear a retainer?
- Teeth have a habit of moving out of position over time. A retainer is able to control this movement and keep your teeth straighter for longer, particularly important when you have just achieved your dream smile.
- When you receive your retainer, we will give you some advice on how often to wear it for maximum effectiveness. Often, you will wear your retainer all the time for a short period, before moving to overnight only. Wearing your retainer at night for life is the best way to ensure your teeth do not gradually move back to their original positions.
Frequently asked questions
Will my retainer be painful?
You may feel some discomfort or tightness when you first begin wearing your retainer, but this is short lived and will dissipate after a few days. If you find your retainer continues to be painful, please contact your dentist.
How do I look after my retainer?
You can clean your retainer after each use with a normal toothbrush and toothpaste. We recommend you use Retainer Brite regularly to keep your retainers bright and fresh. When it is out of your mouth, we recommend keeping your retainer in a hard box or container to minimise the chances of it getting lost or broken.
What should I do if I lose or break my retainer?
Please get in touch with us as soon as possible if you lose or break your retainer. We may be able to use your original scan to create a new one quickly and limit the amount of time your teeth are left unsupported.
