Retention Care Instructions
Congratulations on completing your treatment! While your braces are off, your journey isn’t over – you are now in the retention phase.
The retention phase is essential to keeping your teeth straight and your smile looking great for years to come.
What is the Retention Phase?
The retention phase begins immediately after your braces are removed. You will be given custom retainers to maintain your tooth position and prevent shifting.
- Retention duration: 12 months of follow-up care at no charge
- Long-term wear: Indefinite part-time wear (‘Retainers are Forever’) for as long as you want straight teeth
- Follow-up visits: First post retention visit after 3 months and dismissal after 12 months. After that, visits are optional with an office fee
Why Retainers are Forever
Teeth, gums, and bone are living tissues that can shift over time due to normal forces such as chewing, tongue pressure, and aging. Wearing your retainers at night is the simplest way to keep your smile exactly as it is now – think of them as “pajamas for your teeth.”
Types of Retainers
After you complete your active orthodontic treatment, you'll need a retainer to stabilize your smile and prevent future shifting.
At Braced in BC, we offer a number of different types of retainers to suit your unique needs and lifestyle.
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Removable Retainers (Clear Aligners / Essix)
Removable aligner-style retainers offer a clear alternative to wire retainers. This clear retainer can fit over the entire arch of your teeth, or just from canine to canine.
Wear Instructions:
- Wear every night indefinitely
- Remove before eating or brushing
- Remove from the back teeth using equal pressure – never pull from the front
Cleaning Instructions:
- Rinse with cool water only – never hot
- Brush inside and outside gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or non-abrasive toothpaste
- Optional: Soak in retainer cleaner or vinegar solution using cool/lukewarm water
Important Reminders:
- Always store in your case when not wearing – never wrap in a napkin
- Keep away from pets
- Call us immediately if lost or broken
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Fixed (Bonded) Wire Retainers
Fixed retainers are wires bonded to the backs of your front teeth. The lower front teeth shift easily in adulthood, so we often recommend a fixed wire retainer for them.
Care Instructions:
- Floss daily using a floss threader or super floss
- Avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth
- Call us if the wire or bonded pad breaks – do not remove yourself
Retainer Replacement & Fees
The first set of retainers is included after treatment, but lost, broken, or damaged retainers due to non-compliance are the patient's responsibility, and retreatment fees may apply if retainers are not worn as instructed.
Retainer FAQs
Learn more about retainers by reading these frequently asked questions from our patients.
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Do wisdom teeth affect orthodontic results?
Wisdom teeth (third molars) can affect your smile long after treatment. We send a letter and recent X-rays to your dentist after your braces are removed. Your dentist will monitor their development and recommend removal when needed.
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What cosmetic options are available after orthodontic treatment?
After orthodontic treatment, some patients may benefit from cosmetic dental work such as contouring, bonding, whitening, or restorations. We will let you know if this is recommended and coordinate with your dentist.
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How long do I have to wear my retainer?
Retainers are a long commitment for all orthodontic patients. They ensure that your new, straighter smile remains so after finishing treatment with braces or clear aligners.
You'll have to wear your retainer full-time (about 24 hours a day) for at least three months after your active orthodontic treatment is complete and nightly after that.
Anyone can experience their teeth shifting over time. Orthodontic patients are even more prone to this and should wear retainers for as long as they want straight teeth.
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How often do I have to wear my retainer?
For the first few months after active orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear your retainer 24 hours daily. This is because these early months of the retention phase are when your teeth are most likely to relapse (shift back to their pre-treatment positions).
During this time, you'll take your retainer out only to eat, brush and floss your teeth, or play sports (when you'll need to wear a sports mouth guard instead).
Over time, your teeth will settle into their new positions, and your risk of relapse will decrease. When your orthodontist has determined you're ready, you can start wearing your retainer for fewer hours a day. For many people, this means overnight retainer wear only.
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How often should I replace my retainer?
With proper care and correct use, most retainers can last for years.
Here are some of the signs indicating that a new retainer might be in order:
Cracks or Chips
When you start noticing chips or cracks in your retainer, it's time to replace it. This type of damage will only get worse over time, and it will also compromise the structural integrity of the retainer, making it less effective.
Poor Fit
Retainers are designed to be sturdy and durable, but they may start to loosen over time with wear. If you notice that the fit is loose, it's important to replace your retainer because at that point, it is no longer effectively supporting your teeth.
Excessive Buildup
Cleaning your retainer regularly will help to keep it in good condition. However, even if you're doing this, stubborn buildup can occur over time. If your retainer has buildup that can't be removed with a thorough cleaning, it should be replaced.
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Can I eat or drink while wearing my retainer?
You should always take your retainer out when eating and if you're drinking hot liquids or highly pigmented ones to prevent the retainer from getting warped or stained.
However, it is perfectly safe to drink water while wearing your retainer.
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How do I clean my orthodontic retainer?
Clean your retainer at least once daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and some mild, unscented liquid soap. This removes food debris, plaque, and bacteria. When you're done, rinse the retainer with cool or room-temperature water to remove the soap.
We also suggest soaking your retainer using specially made retainer cleaning tablets dissolved in water as needed. This can help loosen any stubborn buildup and leave your retainer feeling fresh.
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How do I store my retainer?
We recommend storing your retainer in the case it comes in any time it's not in your mouth. When you're not wearing or cleaning your retainer, it's important to store it somewhere safe so it doesn't get lost or damaged.
Always remember to clean and dry your retainer and its carrying case thoroughly first, to prevent bacteria from forming.
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What happens if I forget to put my retainer in?
It is vital to your treatment that you wear your retainer as prescribed after you complete orthodontic treatment.
That said, if you occasionally forget to wear your retainer for short periods of time, you probably have nothing to worry about. Just go back to wearing it consistently as soon as you remember.
Keep in mind that if you don't consistently wear your retainer, your teeth could shift out of position, and you'll require more corrective orthodontic treatment to realign them. To avoid this, prioritize wearing your retainer as prescribed.