Orthodontics
Retainers in Gladstone
Protect the smile your orthodontic treatment created.
A retainer holds your teeth in place once braces come off or aligner treatment ends. Wearing it as directed is one of the most important parts of orthodontic care.
Exceptional Dentistry in Gladstone, MO
Why teeth need a retainer
Teeth are held in place by fibers and bone that need time to settle after orthodontic treatment. In the meantime, and over the long term, teeth have a natural tendency to drift back toward where they started. A retainer is a custom appliance that gently holds each tooth in its new position while the surrounding tissues adjust. Your dentist will recommend a retainer type and a wearing schedule based on how your teeth moved during treatment. Whether you finished with braces or clear aligners, the retainer is what helps protect the result.
Types of retainers
Removable and fixed options
Each type has strengths, and your dentist will recommend the one that suits your teeth.
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Clear removable retainers
Thin, transparent trays made from a scan of your teeth. They look much like clear aligners and come out for eating and cleaning.
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Wire retainers
A classic removable design with an acrylic base and a thin wire across the front teeth, which your dentist can adjust.
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Bonded retainers
A thin wire fixed to the back of the front teeth. It stays in place, so there is nothing to remember to put in.
Getting your retainer
How a retainer is made
- Your dentist records your teeth, often with a digital scan from the iTero scanner
- The retainer is made to match the exact position of your teeth
- A fitting visit checks the fit and your bite
- You receive instructions on when and how often to wear it
- Follow-up visits make sure your teeth are staying put
Daily care
Looking after your retainer
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Clean it gently
Brush your retainer with a soft brush and cool water. Hot water can warp plastic.
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Keep it in its case
A retainer wrapped in a napkin is easy to throw away by accident. A case keeps it safe.
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Keep it away from pets
Dogs are drawn to retainers and can chew them beyond repair.
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Clean around bonded wires
Floss threaders or small brushes help you clean under a fixed retainer.
If your retainer no longer fits
A retainer that feels tight, cracked or loose may not be holding your teeth the way it should. Stop wearing a damaged retainer and let your dentist know. Our retainer replacement page explains how a new one is made.
Orthodontic & Invisalign consultation
Free
Find out if Invisalign or braces are right for you
Our complimentary orthodontic consultation includes:
- Orthodontic exam
- Digital panoramic X-rays
- Digital profile view X-rays
- Orthodontic models & smile photographs
- A detailed, written treatment plan
Why choose Marx Family Dental for retainers?
Retainers can be made here from a digital scan rather than impression putty, and your retainer is checked at your regular visits along with the rest of your dental health.
Book your visit
Book a retainer visit
Whether you are finishing treatment or want your current retainer checked, schedule a visit and we will look at the fit and your teeth together.
The short answer
A retainer is a custom orthodontic appliance worn after braces or clear aligners to hold the teeth in their new positions while the surrounding bone and tissues settle. Your dentist records your teeth, often with a digital scan, and the retainer is made to match their exact position, either as a clear removable tray, a removable wire design or a thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth. Wearing it as directed helps keep teeth from drifting back toward where they started.
Retainers FAQ
- How long do I need to wear my retainer?
- How long you wear a retainer depends on the wearing schedule your dentist gives you, based on how your teeth moved during treatment. Many people are advised to keep wearing a retainer at night over the long term, since teeth can shift at any age. The fibers and bone around the teeth need time to settle, and teeth have a natural tendency to drift back toward where they started.
- What if I forget to wear it?
- If you forget to wear your retainer and it feels tight after a break, your teeth may have started to shift. Contact your dentist, and do not force a retainer that no longer fits. A retainer that feels tight, cracked or loose may not be holding your teeth the way it should, so it is worth having the fit checked.
- Can I eat with my retainer in?
- Take removable retainers out to eat, and brush before putting them back in. Clear and wire retainers both come out for eating and cleaning. Bonded retainers stay in place, so clean carefully around them with floss threaders or small brushes.
- How do I clean my retainer?
- Clean your retainer by brushing it gently with a soft brush and cool water. Avoid hot water, which can warp plastic. Keep it in its case whenever it is not in your mouth, since a retainer wrapped in a napkin is easy to throw away by accident and pets can chew it beyond repair.
- Do adults need retainers too?
- Yes, adults need retainers too. Teeth can move throughout life, so a retainer matters just as much for adults who finish orthodontic treatment. Your dentist sets a wearing schedule for you and checks your retainer at your regular visits.
Your dentist
Meet Dr. Emily Marx
A skilled family dentist, Dr. Marx is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable while achieving their best smile. Meet Dr. Marx
