You have invested time and effort into achieving a straighter, healthier smile with braces or clear aligners. Retainers are what keep your results in place. At Enoch & Lamei Orthodontics, Dr. Enoch and Dr. Lamei provide custom retainers and long-term retention guidance for every patient at their Marietta and Roswell offices.
Wearing your retainers as directed is the single most important thing you can do to protect your orthodontic investment.
Why Retainers Matter
After braces are removed, the bone and soft tissues around your teeth need time to stabilize in their new positions. Without retainers, teeth naturally tend to shift back toward their original positions, especially in the first several months after treatment.
Even years after treatment, teeth can continue to move due to normal aging, jaw growth, and muscle pressure from your lips and tongue. That is why we recommend wearing retainers indefinitely. A few minutes of retainer wear each night protects results that took months of treatment to achieve.
Types of Retainers
Removable Retainers (Clear or Hawley)
Removable retainers are custom-made to fit your teeth after active treatment ends. The most common types are:
- Clear retainers — thin, transparent trays that fit over your teeth, similar in appearance to clear aligners. They are discreet and comfortable.
- Hawley retainers — made with an acrylic base and a metal wire that wraps around the front teeth. These are durable and adjustable.
You should wear removable retainers for a minimum of 8 to 10 hours each night, indefinitely. Following your orthodontist’s specific instructions is essential.
Fixed Retainers (Bonded Wire)
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of your front teeth — usually the lower front teeth. It stays in place permanently and works around the clock without any effort on your part.
Fixed retainers are an excellent option for patients who want continuous protection without having to remember to wear a removable retainer. The wire should stay on permanently unless your dentist identifies a hygiene concern. If it is removed, replace it with a removable retainer worn as Dr. Enoch and Dr. Lamei prescribe.
Have your family dentist check the bonded wire at your regular six-month cleanings to make sure it remains secure, and your gums stay healthy around it.
How to Care for Your Retainers
Removable retainer care:
- Clean before and after each use by gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush and mild liquid soap
- Use a denture cleaning solution like Efferdent periodically to remove plaque and tartar buildup
- Rinse thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residue
- Always store retainers in their case when not in your mouth never wrap them in a napkin or leave them loose
- Keep retainers away from heat sources, including dishwashers, car dashboards, hot water, and heaters (the thermoplastic material warps above 115 degrees F)
- Keep retainers away from pets — dogs especially like to chew on them
Fixed retainer care:
- Brush carefully around the bonded wire using a soft toothbrush
- Use a floss threader or water flosser to clean between teeth behind the wire
- Avoid biting into hard foods directly with your front teeth
- Contact our office immediately if the wire feels loose or detached
Conditions That May Require Extra Retention
Certain habits and conditions put extra pressure on your teeth and may require stronger or longer retention:
- Mouth breathing
- Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism)
- Tongue thrusting or low tongue posture
- Playing reed musical instruments
- Lip sucking or pen/pencil biting
- Teeth that were severely rotated or widely spaced before treatment
If any of these apply to you, Dr. Enoch and Dr. Lamei may recommend wearing your retainers for additional hours or using both fixed and removable retainers together.
Retainer Replacement
Retainers are worn for years and may need periodic replacement as they wear out. Your original treatment fee includes one set of retainers after braces are removed. If retainers are lost, damaged, or broken due to neglect, a replacement fee will apply. Contact our office if your retainers become loose, cracked, or no longer fit properly do not wait, as teeth can shift quickly without retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions to help you better understand retainers and your dental care.
We recommend wearing retainers indefinitely at least 8 to 10 hours per night. Teeth can shift at any age, so consistent retainer wear is the best way to protect your results for life.
Your teeth may begin to shift back toward their original positions. The longer you go without wearing your retainer, the more movement can occur. If your retainer no longer fits, contact our office you may need a new retainer or additional treatment.
No. Always remove your retainer before eating or drinking anything other than water. Food and drinks can damage or stain the retainer material.
Gently brush with a soft toothbrush and mild soap after each use. Avoid hot water, which can warp the material. A denture cleaning tablet can help with deeper cleaning once or twice a week.
Retainers help keep your teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment. Teeth naturally want to shift over time, so wearing your retainer as directed helps maintain the results of your braces or aligners and protects your new smile.