What Are Retainers and Why Are They So Important?
Completing your orthodontic treatment is an exciting milestone. After months of wearing braces or Invisalign®, you’ve achieved the straight, healthy smile you’ve been working toward. But your orthodontic journey doesn’t end the day your braces come off or you finish your final aligners. At Bae Orthodontics, we remind every patient that wearing a retainer is the key to protecting the beautiful results you’ve earned.
Why Retainers Matter
Many patients are surprised to learn that teeth naturally want to shift over time. Even after orthodontic treatment is complete, the tissues and bone surrounding your teeth need time to stabilize in their new positions. Without a retainer, your teeth can gradually begin moving back toward where they started—a process known as orthodontic relapse.
A retainer helps hold your teeth in place while your smile settles, ensuring that all of your hard work continues to pay off for years to come.
Which Type of Retainer Is Right for You?
At Bae Orthodontics, Dr. Susan Bae will recommend the retainer that best fits your smile, lifestyle, and treatment needs. The two most common options include:
Removable Retainers – Removable retainers are custom-made to fit comfortably over your teeth and can easily be taken out for meals and brushing. Some are made from clear plastic and resemble Invisalign aligners, while others include a thin wire attached to a durable acrylic base. Both styles are designed to keep your teeth in their ideal positions while remaining easy to wear.
Fixed Retainers – A fixed, or bonded, retainer consists of a thin wire that is permanently attached to the back of your front teeth. Because it’s hidden from view, most people won’t notice it’s there. Since it stays in place all the time, it provides continuous support without relying on you to remember to wear it. Patients with bonded retainers simply need to take extra care when flossing around the wire.
How Long Will You Need to Wear a Retainer?
One of the most common questions patients ask is how long they’ll need to wear their retainer. The answer is simple: the longer you wear it, the longer your smile will stay straight.
Immediately after treatment, Dr. Susan Bae may recommend wearing your retainer full-time, removing it only for eating and brushing. After this initial period, many patients transition to wearing it only while they sleep.
Since teeth can continue shifting throughout life, nightly retainer wear is often the best way to maintain your orthodontic results for the long term.
Lost or Broken Your Retainer?
Don’t wait to replace it. Teeth can begin to move surprisingly quickly once a retainer is no longer being worn. If your retainer is lost, cracked, or no longer fits properly, contact Bae Orthodontics as soon as possible.
Replacing a retainer early is usually much simpler—and far less expensive—than needing additional orthodontic treatment because your teeth have shifted.
Simple Tips for Taking Care of Your Retainer
Keeping your retainer clean and in good condition will help it last longer and keep your smile healthy.
- Rinse your retainer with cool water after wearing it.
- Clean it gently using a soft toothbrush and mild soap or a retainer cleaner.
- Avoid using hot water, which can warp plastic retainers.
- Store your retainer in its protective case whenever it isn’t in your mouth.
- Bring your retainer to your follow-up appointments so Dr. Susan Bae can check that it still fits properly.
With just a little daily care, your retainer can continue protecting your smile for years.
Protect Your Smile at Bae Orthodontics in Cerritos, CA
Your orthodontic treatment is an investment in your confidence and oral health, and wearing your retainer is the best way to preserve those results. At Bae Orthodontics, Dr. Susan Bae and our team are committed to helping every patient enjoy a healthy, straight smile long after treatment is complete.
If you have questions about your retainer or need a replacement, contact Bae Orthodontics in Cerritos, CA today. We’re here to help you keep your smile looking its best for a lifetime.