The Braces Are Off! A Closer Look at Post-Orthodontic Retainer Wear Guidelines

When it comes to orthodontic treatment, a lot of attention is placed on the type of appliance your orthodontist uses, and for good reason. Choosing between clear braces, traditional braces, and clear aligners is important.

But what about retainers — the orthodontic appliance that plays more than a supporting role but never quite gets the accolades for preserving your new smile? In this blog, Dr. Jean Seibold McGill at McGill Orthodontics in Easton and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, gives you the lowdown on retainers and why they’re just as important as braces.

How orthodontics works

So, why do retainers deserve a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T? Let’s discover the answer with a quick primer on how teeth move during active orthodontic treatment.

Regardless of which type of orthodontic appliance you wear during treatment, the underlying principle is the same — the appliance creates gentle force or pressure to move your teeth into new, optimal positions. Sounds simple, right? But that’s only part of the equation.

The previous tooth positions need to be forgotten, and the new, optimal positions need to be strengthened. This process is the responsibility of two bone cells – osteoclasts and osteoblasts. As your teeth gently move, osteoclasts break down old bone in the previous position, and that old bone is reabsorbed into your bloodstream. 

As your teeth move into optimal placement, osteoblasts take over, building new bone through ossification. Ossification allows your teeth to anchor into their new optimal positions. Your jawbone and the mechanics of chewing and biting reinforce the whole process.

Retainers preserve your hard work

The inconvenient truth is that once your teeth are moved into their ideal placement and active treatment ends, it’s not a done deal since bone tissue is a living thing. Living bone cells require some time to stabilize and settle into their new positions.

And that’s where retainers come in. During this stabilizing period, retainers hold or “retain” your teeth in their new positions, acting like guardrails. This scenario makes it less likely for your teeth to drift back into their former positions.

Dr. McGill provides specific instructions on how long to wear your retainers, but a general rule of thumb is that retainers can’t be worn too much or too long. In contrast, non-compliance greatly increases the opportunity for your teeth to creep back to their original positions.]

Initially, you’ll need to wear your retainers 24 hours a day for about two or three months, although you can remove them when you eat. Usually, Dr. McGill slowly weans you off daytime wear and you’ll only need to wear your retainers overnight.

Key guidelines for retainer wear

There are a handful of important guidelines to keep in mind for post-orthodontic retainer wear. Chief among them is committing to wear them as your orthodontist instructs. After all, you put the time and effort into getting your best smile ever, so why ruin it all by not following through with the final step?

Keep them clean and safely stored

Since you’ll wear your retainers daily, keeping them clean and safe is important. Brush your teeth before inserting your retainers. Always remember to at least rinse your retainers with warm water before putting them back in your mouth.

Soaking your retainers weekly in a special cleaning solution is also helpful in preventing bacteria buildup and keeping them clean. Dr. McGill offers instructions and tips on cleaning how-tos and authorized cleaning solutions.

Once you’re weaned to nightly wear, getting into the habit of storing your retainers in a protective case when you’re not wearing them becomes super important. Proper storage makes it less likely to lose or break your retainers and keeps them cleaner than tossing them on your bathroom sink or nightstand.

Monitor fit 

Although your retainers are custom-made just for you, if you forget to wear them, they won’t fit well and may be uncomfortable. This sets up a perfect storm for an excuse not to wear them at all. Do yourself a favor and resist that temptation. Instead, let Dr. McGill know, so she can refit you for a replacement.

Bring your retainers with you for follow-ups 

Your regular follow-up appointments are a great time to check the condition and fit of your retainers. Check-ups are also a perfect time to ask questions on wear or care guidelines. Your comfort level with wearing your retainers is half the battle for compliance.

Are you ready to begin your journey to your best smile? Contact McGill Orthodontics to schedule a free orthodontic consultation. Call our office most convenient to you or request your appointment online today.