Your braces are off. What keeps your teeth straight now?

Finishing orthodontic treatment is an exciting milestone. After months of appointments and adjustments, it is time to enjoy your smile—and start the next part of looking after it.

That is where retainers come in.

Why teeth still need support

Teeth can move after braces or aligner treatment. The tissues around them need time to adapt, and tooth positions can also change naturally as we get older.

Retainers help maintain the positions achieved during treatment. Long-term retention is usually recommended for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight.

Your routine should be specific to you

Some patients have removable retainers, some have a thin wire bonded behind their teeth, and some have both.

Follow your orthodontist’s individual wear instructions. Your routine may change over time, but stopping because your teeth still look straight can allow movement to occur.

A bonded wire also needs attention. Keep the area clean and let the practice know if it feels loose or broken.

Make your retainer easy to look after

Clean removable retainers as instructed and keep them in their protective case whenever they are out of your mouth. Avoid hot water and hot cars, which can distort the plastic.

A tissue or napkin is a particularly risky storage spot—it is far too easy for a retainer to end up in the bin.

What if it no longer fits?

If your retainer will not seat properly or causes significant pain, do not force it into place. Contact your orthodontist for advice. A lost, damaged or poorly fitting retainer is worth addressing promptly.

At Adelaide Orthodontics, we can check your retainer and help you maintain a routine that protects your treatment result.