Table of contents
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Understanding Retainers
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How Long Do Retainers Last?
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Types of Retainers
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How long do Hawley retainers last?
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How long do removable retainers last?
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How long do permanent retainers last?
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Factors affecting the longevity of Retainers
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Tips to Maintain a Retainers
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Signs to replace your Retainers
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ALIGNERCO Clear Retainers
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Frequently Asked Questions
Retainers play an essential role in orthodontic teeth straightening. If you have recently had your teeth aligned, either with braces or clear aligners, your orthodontist will emphasize wearing retainers. However, an important question that confuses orthodontic patients is how long do retainers last. In this blog, we will provide a complete understanding of retainers, their types, their importance, and how long they really last.
Understanding Retainers
Have you recently got your teeth perfectly aligned? If yes, then consider wearing retainers to keep your perfect smile forever. Retainers are the orthodontic devices that are used after getting your teeth aligned. Individuals who have gotten their teeth aligned with any of the orthodontic treatments are advised to get post-treatment care with retainers. They are worn on the teeth to help sustain teeth to their new positions. After getting your teeth straightened, there is still a chance of getting an orthodontic relapse. To prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position, retainers are added as a post-care treatment.
How Long Do Retainers Last?
In simple words, the longevity of retainers depends on the type of retainers you opt for yourself. Other factors that contribute to the lifespan of retainers include how well you maintain them through proper handling and storage. Retainers do last for several years, whereas, at some point, you may need a replacement for effective maintenance of your teeth.
Types of Retainers
The following are the types of retainers that help prevent orthodontic relapse. Orthodontic patients can get the type of retainers that best suit their needs and case severity.
How Long do Hawley Retainers Last?
Hawley retainers are the type of retainers that include metallic wire with an acrylic or plastic-shaped material that sits on the roof of the mouth. The wire runs across the teeth to keep them perfectly aligned. They are one of the durable types of retainers that last for years on proper maintenance. However, if retainers are not maintained properly they may break and require replacement.
How Long do Removable Retainers Last?
Clear retainers are composed of plastic material and are worn on the teeth. They are transparent which makes them barely visible. It means orthodontic patients can retain their teeth without even getting noticed. One of the main benefits of clear retainers is their invisibility and the fact that they can be removed at any time without the supervision of an expert. Clear retainers are transparent and composed of plastic that may break or cause discoloration if improperly maintained. However, on proper handling, clear retainers can last for several years.
How Long do Permanent Retainers Last?
Orthodontic patients who undergo extensive or severe treatment are recommended to get fixed retainers. They help to sustain your newly aligned teeth effectively. Fixed retainers are also known as permanent retainers they are fixed at the back of the lower, upper, or both arches to prevent teeth from shifting. Permanent retainers can be effective for years. Since they are fixed, orthodontic patients often face challenges to keep their oral hygiene intact.
Factors Affecting the Longevity of Retainers
The lifespan of retainers can be impacted by any of the following factors:
Quality of Retainers
The quality utilized in the composition of retainers plays a huge role in their longevity and durability. High-quality materials used in retainers tend to increase the longevity of retainers. For instance, the wire used in Hawley retainers is of good quality and tends to last for years. Whereas if the plastic used in clear retainers is of poor quality they may not last longer.
Storage
The life span of retainers highly depends on how you store them. Removable retainers like clear retainers must be stored in a well-ventilated container to avoid any breakage and scratches impacting their effectiveness. In case an individual fails to store their retainers properly, there are chances of shortening the lifespan of retainers.
Maintenance
It is extremely important to maintain your retainers. Removable retainers must be cleaned every time before and after usage. To ensure proper and damage-free cleaning, use a soft-bristled brush. You can also soak them in distilled water for deep cleaning of your device.
Tips to Maintain a Retainer
Are you wondering, how long do removable retainers last? It is extremely important to maintain any of the orthodontic devices you use. By maintaining your retainers you not only have good oral hygiene but also ensure the longevity of your retainers. Here are a few tips to maintain your retainers:
Proper Cleaning
No matter the type of retainer you opt for, you must clean it well after every use. For instance, every time you remove your clear retainers make sure to clean them well with a soft-bristled brush. You can also soak them in a clean distilled water or have
Storage
Always ensure to store your retainers in a well-ventilated container. Do not leave your retainers in your bag or pocket as they may catch bacteria or may lead to damage.
Signs to Replace Your Retainers
Even with the best care, retainers may eventually need to be replaced. Following are the signs that indicate that you need new retainers.
Poor Fit
Over time, if you feel that your retainers don’t fit well this could be a sign that your device has been warped or worn down. You must get a new pair of retainers for it to effectively maintain your new smile.
Discoloration
If you feel that your clear retainers are turning yellow even with regular cleaning or if there is a stinky odor coming from your retainers it means it's time to get your retainers replaced.
Visible Wear and Tear
If you feel even a slight tear on your retainers, it is your time to get them replaced. Even a slight tear or damage can make your retainers less effective.
ALIGNERCO Clear Retainers
If you are looking forward to maintaining your teeth, ALIGNERCO can be your assistance. With ALIGNERCO Clear Retainers, sustain your newly achieved smile in the best way possible. No need to have any clinic visits when you can just sustain your smile from the comfort of your home.
Why Choose ALIGNERCO Retainers?
Here’s why you should opt for ALIGNERCO retainers:
Safe and Gentle
They are composed of BPA-free material for safe usage and help to make your smile everlasting.
Durable
We use high-quality material to ensure your retainers are durable and provide long-term comfortable wear.
Affordable
ALIGNERCO offers a cost-effective solution as compared to other traditional methods for smile maintenance.
Effortless Maintenance
You can easily maintain your ALIGNERCO retainers for quick cleaning and ensure optimal oral hygiene.
Free Shipping
With ALIGNERCO, you do not have to go through the hassle of clinic visits. Maintain your hard-earned smile from the comfort of your home.
To sum it up, retainers are the orthodontic devices that help to retain your newly achieved smile. After getting your teeth straightened, there is still a chance of your teeth shifting back to their original place. To prevent yourself from an orthodontic relapse, orthodontic patients are advised to wear retainers as a post-care treatment. There are different types of retainers; Hawley, Clear, and Fixed. With proper maintenance and storage, you can elongate the life span of retainers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it necessary to wear retainers?
Retainers are the orthodontic devices that help to retain teeth. Even after getting your teeth straightened, there is still a chance of an orthodontic relapse. To prevent your teeth from shifting, a post-care treatment with retainers is essential.
2. Are retainers different from aligners?
Clear aligners are the orthodontic devices that assist in addressing different dental misalignments. Whereas, retainers are the devices that help in sustaining the new alignment of teeth.
3. How long do retainers last before breaking?
The lifespan of retainers depends on their type. Moreover, it also includes how well you maintain your retainers over time with proper cleaning and storage.
4. How long do I need to wear retainers?
In some cases, individuals are required to wear retainers throughout the day shifting to nighttime wear only. Whereas, for mild to moderate cases, retainers are worn only for a few months.
5. How long do plastic retainers last?
The longevity of plastic retainers depends on their handling. To ensure your retainers last longer clean them with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid any scratches and damage.
