Orthodontic Retainers

Retainers are the final step of orthodontic treatment and one of the most important. After braces or Invisalign, teeth naturally want to shift over time. Wearing retainers as instructed helps protect your results, maintain bite alignment, and keep your smile straight for the long term.

Why Are Retainers So Important?

After orthodontic treatment, the bone and soft tissues around your teeth need time to stabilize. During this healing phase, teeth can shift quickly if they are not held in place.

Wearing retainers helps:

• Maintain your final orthodontic results
• Prevent relapse and unwanted shifting
• Support long-term bite stability
• Reduce the chance of needing retreatment

What Types of Retainers Are Available?

Most patients will use one (or sometimes both) of the following types of retainers depending on their needs.

Fixed Retainers (Bonded Wire)

A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind the teeth (most often the lower front teeth). It is designed to stay in place long-term and protect an area that commonly shifts with age.

Southern Maine Orthodontics utilizes advanced in-house YOTE robotic wire-bending technology to create highly precise fixed retainers designed for an accurate and comfortable fit. In many cases, fixed retainers can be fabricated and placed the same day for added convenience.

Your family dentist should monitor the bonded wire at routine six-month checkups.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are custom-made to fit your teeth and keep them in their corrected positions. Because bone and tissues are still stabilizing after braces are removed, wearing your retainer exactly as prescribed is critical.

At Southern Maine Orthodontics, removable retainers are fabricated in-house using advanced SprintRay 3D printing technology for improved precision, comfort, and efficiency. This allows our team to create high-quality retainers with an accurate custom fit while reducing turnaround time for patients.

How Often Should Retainers Be Worn?

Teeth can continue to move throughout life, which is why long-term retention matters.

Full-Time Wear for the First Year: For the first year after braces are removed, removable retainers should be worn full-time unless eating or brushing.

Night-Only Wear After One Year: After approximately one year, most patients transition to wearing retainers at night. This helps maintain alignment while allowing for the development of wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Monitoring: Dr. Christopher Murphy will monitor wisdom teeth approximately every 6 to 9 months. X-rays are typically taken about every 18 months to determine whether wisdom teeth may impact alignment.

Long-Term Retention: Once wisdom teeth decisions have been made, retainers should be worn at least one night per week indefinitely. As you age, facial muscles tighten and can place pressure on teeth, which can cause shifting or crowding.

How Do I Care for My Retainers?

Retainers are durable but need daily care to stay clean and maintain a proper fit.

To protect your retainer:

• Keep away from heat (hot water, dishwashers, heaters, car dashboards) because thermoplastic can warp above 115°F
• Store in a retainer case when not wearing it
• Keep away from pets (pets commonly chew retainers)

To clean your retainer:

• Clean before and after wearing
• Use a toothbrush with mild liquid soap to gently scrub plaque away
• Use Retainer Brite cleaning solution to help remove plaque and tartar buildup
• Rinse thoroughly to remove any cleaning residue
• When it’s not in your face, it’s in a case, in a safe place

Because retainers are worn for years, they will eventually need to be replaced. Your original treatment contract includes one set of retainers after braces are removed. If a retainer is lost or damaged due to neglect, a replacement fee applies.

If your retainer becomes loose, cracked, or broken, contact our office right away.

Anchor Your Smile Program

Your smile is an investment, and retainers play an important role in protecting your results long term. Because retainers can become worn, lost, cracked, or damaged over time, Southern Maine Orthodontics offers the Anchor Your Smile Program to help patients maintain a healthy, aligned smile for years to come.

Why Join the Program?

The Anchor Your Smile Program provides affordable replacement retainers and added peace of mind after orthodontic treatment.

Benefits include:

• Replacement for aging, broken, or discolored retainers as needed
• Coverage for lost retainers or fit adjustments related to dental work
• Up to 4 replacement sets of retainers per year for up to 10 years
• Interest-free financing options available at treatment start

Program Enrollment

Patients may enroll in the program at the start of treatment or before completion of treatment. Our team will review all program details, enrollment fees, and replacement coverage during your visit.

Who May Need Stronger Retention?

Some habits and conditions increase the likelihood of tooth movement, which may require more consistent long-term retainer wear. These include:

• Mouth breathing
• Clenching and/or grinding (muscle hyperactivity)
• Tongue thrusting or abnormal tongue posture
• Playing a musical instrument with a reed
• Lip sucking
• Pen or pencil biting
• Spacing between the teeth prior to treatment
• Severely rotated teeth

Do I Still Need Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Yes. Proper oral hygiene and routine dental care are essential for long-term dental health, especially after orthodontic treatment.

Continue brushing and flossing daily and see your family dentist every six months for cleanings and exams (or more often if recommended).

Can Southern Maine Orthodontics Create Custom Nightguards and Sports Mouthguards?

Yes! We can also fabricate custom night guards and sports mouthguards in-house using advanced 3D printing technology to improve comfort, fit, and convenience.