[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Retainers are an important part of your braces or clear aligners treatment. They keep your teeth in that beautiful new smile in place. Without retainers, your teeth will move out of place again. What happens if you lose your retainers? What happens if you break them?
At Kanning Orthodontics, we know that accidents can happen. Your retainers are tough but can still be damaged or lost. What do you do if that happens? Here’s what to do if you lose your retainer or if you broke your retainer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3605″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
What Are Retainers?
You get retainers when your braces or clear aligners come off as part of your orthodontic treatment. Your teeth have been moving for several months. Without retainers, they will continue to move. Retainers hold them in place until your jaw hardens and can hold the teeth on its own. Your teeth can still move, so your retainers are necessary for a lifetime, but you don’t have to wear them as much.
There are three main types of retainers.
- Hawley Retainers — This classic removable retainer is made of acrylic and wire. The wires fit around the teeth and hold them in place.
- Essex Retainers — Also called clear retainers, they resemble clear aligners. The acrylic is molded to your teeth and holds them in place.
- Permanent Retainers — Also called lingual retainers or fixed retainers, this is a wire bonded to the back of the teeth to hold them in place.
Kanning Orthodontics will provide the best retainers for you as part of your treatment plan. We will give you retainers custom-made for your teeth. We’ll have you try on your retainers in the office.
If your retainer only fits halfway or feels uncomfortable, we need to adjust the retainers. We’ll take care of it and send you home with retainers that fit your teeth just right. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3303″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
What To Do If Your Retainer Breaks or You Lose It
Unless you get a permanent retainer, your retainers will be removable. You can take them out to eat or brush and floss your teeth. While this is convenient, it also means you have a chance of losing or damaging your retainers.
‘I Lost My Retainer!’
What if you have a lost retainer? Don’t panic! We will tell you what to do if you lose your retainer.
The first thing you must do in Kansas City, MO, is call Kanning Orthodontics. We will schedule an appointment to get you in for a retainer replacement.
We charge a fee to cover the cost of replacing your retainers, which is why we encourage you to keep your retainers safe.
We will get you a replacement retainer as soon as possible. We will check the fit before you leave to see whether your teeth have moved much. The retainer can correct minor movement.
The longer you wait to get your replacement retainer, the better your chances that your teeth will move out of place. If you wait too long to get a replacement, you may have to wear clear aligners for a short time to reposition your teeth. That’s why replacing your retainers as soon as possible is important.
‘My Retainer Broke’
Do you know how to fix a broken retainer? Probably not, but don’t worry — we do! Retainers can be damaged if you eat with them on your teeth, leave them in a hot car, or if your dog gets hold of them and uses them as a chew toy. Your retainers can be damaged in many other ways, too.
If you have a broken retainer, call us right away. We will get you into our Kansas City, MO, or Liberty, MO, office for retainer repairs.
Do not wear a broken retainer! It may have sharp edges or wires that can harm the soft tissue in your mouth. Instead, store your broken retainer and bring it with you when you come for repairs. If only one retainer is broken, you can wear the undamaged retainer. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3125″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
How Long Can You Go Without Wearing a Retainer?
Your teeth can shift quickly, especially if you’ve just gotten your braces or clear aligners off. Your teeth can move within 1-3 days. It may not seem noticeable initially, but it will soon become apparent if you go longer than a few days without your retainers.
We don’t want you to go more than a day or two without your retainers, which is why it’s so important to call your orthodontist right away! How long does it take to make a retainer? It depends on the type of retainer and the extent of the damage. In-house repairs usually take less than an hour.
What Can You Do While You Wait for a New Retainer?
What can you do while you wait for new retainers? Here are a few tips.
- Wear your undamaged retainer while you wait for your new retainer.
- Do not wear a damaged retainer until your orthodontist can look at it first.
- Do not try to DIY retainers. Don’t try to tie your teeth together with string, rubber bands, wire, or other materials.
- Note any changes to your teeth before you come to us so we can check for any shifted teeth.
Tips to Prevent Losing Retainers or Damage to Retainers
Losing and damaging retainers can become costly if you have to replace them often. Here are some suggestions to keep your retainers safe.
- Store your retainers in a proper storage retainer case when they aren’t in your mouth.
- Store the case somewhere safely out of reach of pets and small children.
- Do not eat with your retainers in your mouth.
- Do not chew ice or chew on hard objects like pencils or pens.
- Never store your retainers in a napkin where they can be accidentally thrown away.
- Keep a spare storage case available for eating out or for travel.
- Clean your retainers by approved methods (soaking).
- Do not expose your retainers to excessive heat, such as hot water, a dishwasher, or a hot car.
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Retainer Replacement in Kansas City, MO
Kanning Orthodontics is here to help if you lost a retainer or if your retainer broke. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible, and we’ll fix or replace your retainer. Our goal is to help you keep that beautiful new smile! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4254″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.kanningorthodontics.com/virtual-consult/”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
