What Are Teeth Retainers? Types, Cost, Wear Time, and Care

Key Takeaways

Teeth retainers are custom-made orthodontic appliances that hold your teeth in their corrected positions after braces or clear aligner treatment. They come in three main types: clear, Hawley, and permanent retainers, each with different designs, wear schedules, costs, and care needs. Choosing a well-fitted retainer is also important for comfort and maintaining your results.

In this guide, you’ll learn how retainers work, how long you need to wear them, when to replace them, how to clean them, and which type of retainers may suit your needs.

What Does A Retainer Do For Your Teeth?

A retainer holds your teeth in their new position and helps reduce unwanted movement after orthodontic treatment. Once braces or aligners have moved your teeth, the surrounding bone and tissues need time to adjust to the new position. This is why retention is an important part of orthodontic treatment rather than an optional step.

What Are The 3 Types Of Teeth Retainers?

The 3 types of teeth retainers are clear retainers, Hawley retainers, and permanent retainers. All three types of retainers help keep your teeth in their corrected position, but they differ in design, appearance, comfort, and how you wear and care for them.

Clear Retainers

Clear retainers are transparent plastic trays that fit over your teeth to hold them in their corrected position. Also called Essix retainers, they are discreet and easy to remove for eating and cleaning.

Because they cover the biting surfaces, your upper and lower teeth do not make normal contact while you wear them. You may also notice a slight lisp at first, which usually improves as you adjust.

Hawley Retainers

Hawley retainers combine an acrylic base with a stainless steel wire to hold your teeth in position. The wire sits across the front teeth, making them more noticeable than clear retainers.

The acrylic can feel bulky at first, and you may need some time to adjust to speaking while wearing it.

Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers are thin wires bonded to the back of selected teeth, usually the front teeth, to prevent them from shifting.

Because the wire sits behind the teeth, it is barely visible. However, cleaning requires extra care because plaque and food can collect around the wire.

The wire can also loosen or break. If this happens, have it checked by a dentist or orthodontist. Some patients use a permanent lower retainer with a removable upper retainer based on their treatment needs.

How Are Teeth Retainers Made?

Dental providers such as ALIGNERCO make customized clear retainers using a dental impression or digital scan of your teeth. This information is then used to create a 3D model of your dental arch, which guides the design of a retainer made to fit your teeth and help maintain their corrected positions.

ALIGNERCO Clear Retainers are manufactured with BPA-free, high-quality materials for a well-fitted retainer based on the 3D dental model. Whereas Hawley retainers combine an acrylic base with a stainless steel wire, fixed retainers use a thin wire shaped to fit behind the teeth and bonded in place. The exact manufacturing process depends on the type of retainer.

What Happens If You Stop Wearing Your Retainer?

If you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth can gradually shift back toward their original positions as the periodontal ligament and surrounding bone continue to adapt.

A research published in National Library of Medicine notes that without a retention phase, teeth tend to shift back toward their original positions, a process known as relapse. As a result, almost everyone who undergoes orthodontic treatment needs some form of retention to help maintain their results.

Relapse can cause your retainer to feel tight or no longer fit properly. Even missing a few nights may simply make your retainer feel tighter. Going without it for longer can allow more noticeable tooth movement. However, how quickly this happens varies from person to person.

Can Retainers Straighten Teeth?

No, standard orthodontic retainers cannot actively straighten teeth. Their main purpose is to hold teeth in their corrected positions and help prevent them from shifting back, which is known as relapse.

If your teeth have shifted slightly, a retainer may help with very minor movement, but significant relapse usually requires further orthodontic treatment.

Do Teeth Retainers Hurt?

A new retainer may cause mild pressure or tooth tenderness for the first 2 to 3 days, which usually fades as your mouth adjusts to it. However, sharp or ongoing pain is not normal. A properly fitting retainer should sit securely over your teeth without requiring excessive force.

The table below shows what is normal and what is not when wearing a retainer:

Important to note: If your retainer feels tighter after missed wear, your teeth may have shifted slightly. Do not force it into place. If it causes pain or no longer fits correctly, have it checked by a dental professional.

Can You Eat And Drink With A Retainer In?

No, you should never eat or drink anything other than plain water while wearing a removable retainer. In the same way, you should avoid hard and sticky foods while wearing permanent retainers, as they can put stress on the bonded wire.

Dentists and orthodontists recommend removing your clear retainer before every meal or snack to protect both the appliance and your teeth.

Eating with a removable retainer can:

• Crack or deform the appliance.
• Trap food and sugar against the teeth.
• Expose the plastic to heat from hot foods and drinks.
• Avoid chewing gum while wearing a removable retainer because it can stick to the appliance.

How Often And How Long Do You Wear A Retainer?

You should wear retainers for at least 20-22 hours for the first three to six months, then switch to wearing them at night long term. Your exact schedule may vary based on your treatment and your provider’s instructions.

So, do you have to wear retainers forever after braces? The answer is that the first few months are important because your teeth can shift back toward their original positions after orthodontic treatment. Once your teeth become more stable, you may be able to wear your retainer only at night.

According to Dr. Anas Athar, an orthodontist with nearly two decades of experience in dentistry and training in both orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology:

General Retainer Wear Timeline

How To Make Retainer Wear Part Of Your Routine

A few simple habits can make regular wear easier:

• Keep the retainer in its protective case when you are not wearing it.
• Store the case near your toothbrush as a reminder.
• Put the retainer in at bedtime.
• Carry the case when travelling.
• Replace it when it becomes damaged or stops fitting correctly.

How Long Do Teeth Retainers Last?

The lifespan of a teeth retainer depends on its type and how well it is cared for, ranging from about 6 months to more than 20 years.

Permanent retainers can last for decades with proper care, while clear plastic retainers gradually wear down and usually need to be replaced every 6 months. The table below summarizes the typical lifespan and key features of each type.

When Should You Replace Your Retainer?

Clear retainers are usually recommended to be replaced every 6 months. However, you can replace your retainer if it is cracked, warped, damaged, loose, or no longer fits correctly. A damaged appliance may not hold your teeth properly.

Look for signs such as:

• Cracks or splits in the plastic.
• Persistent clouding or staining.
• A loose or uncomfortable fit.
• A retainer that no longer seats fully.
• Warping after exposure to heat.
• A detached or broken permanent retainer wire.

If keeping up with retainer replacements feels like one more thing to remember, ALIGNERCO’s Subscribe & Save option takes the hassle out of reordering. You pay $110 for your first set, followed by $100 for each additional set, with a fresh set delivered every 6 months. In this way, you can save $15 on every order.

How Do You Get A Replacement Retainer?

You can order a replacement retainer through your dentist or orthodontist, or use an at-home provider such as ALIGNERCO with a dental scan or impression kit. If you have noticeable tooth movement, significant pain, active decay, gum problems, or a detached permanent retainer, an in-person dental evaluation may be more appropriate.

ALIGNERCO Replacement Retainer Process

Choose your preferred option: Order a retainer with an at-home impression kit or arrange an optional dental scan at a partner clinic.

Complete your dental records: If you choose the impression kit, follow the instructions to make accurate impressions of your teeth.

Send your information: Send your impressions to ALIGNERCO, or have your scan STL files submitted through the partner clinic. Based on these records, your retainers are custom-made based on your current tooth position.

Receive and check your retainer: Once your replacement retainer arrives, check that it fits comfortably and securely. Follow the recommended retainer wear schedule to help maintain your tooth position.

Did You Know

You can store your dental impressions digitally with ALIGNERCO for up to two years. If you need to repurchase products such as retainers, or mouth guards in the future, there’s no need to retake your impressions. Simply provide your unique reference number, and we can use your existing digital impressions.

How Do You Clean A Teeth Retainer?

To clean a teeth retainer effectively, you must rinse it after removal, brush it gently with a mild, non-abrasive retainer solution such as ALIGNERCO Cleaning Tablets or ALIGNERCO Cleaning Solution, and deep-clean it with a UV Ultrasonic Cleaner weekly.

That said, avoid hot water because it can change the shape of clear plastic. Abrasive toothpaste can scratch the surface, while bleach and alcohol-based products may damage some retainer materials.

For a permanent retainer, pay extra attention to the area around the bonded wire. Brush carefully and use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove plaque between the teeth.

What Is The Cost Of Teeth Retainers?

The final price depends heavily on the specific style of retainer. However, general price ranges can look like this:

Buying a new retainer each time can cost you more than buying in bulk. A bundle can be a smarter way to plan ahead and save. With ALIGNERCO, you can purchase up to 8 retainers at a discounted price, giving you multiple replacements at a lower cost per retainer. You can store them safely and have a fresh retainer ready when you need one, without having to place another order.

Which Type Of Retainer Is Right For You?

The right retainer depends on your tooth position, treatment history, relapse risk, oral hygiene, and ability to follow the recommended wear schedule. Each type solves the same basic problem, but the way it does so is different.

Your daily routine and treatment needs can help narrow down the most suitable option. Clear retainers may suit people who want a discreet, removable option, while Hawley retainers may be useful when adjustability and durability are important. Permanent retainers may be considered when continuous retention is needed or wearing a removable retainer consistently may be difficult.

There is no single best retainer type for everyone. Your dentist or orthodontist can recommend the option that best fits your teeth, treatment history, and ability to maintain it.

Final Thoughts On Teeth Retainers

Teeth retainers help protect the results achieved through braces or clear aligner treatment by keeping teeth in their corrected positions. The type of retainer and wear schedule depend on your treatment history, tooth position, and provider's recommendations.

Whether you use a clear, Hawley, or permanent retainer, regular cleaning and proper care can help it last longer. If your retainer becomes damaged, stops fitting, or causes pain, have it checked rather than trying to adjust it yourself.

This article provides general information and does not replace advice from a dentist or orthodontist.

FAQs

1. What are retainers made of?

Clear retainers are made from clear plastic, Hawley retainers combine acrylic with stainless steel wire, and permanent retainers use a bonded metal wire. The material depends on the retainer design and affects how it should be cleaned and maintained.

2. Why does my retainer smell?

A retainer can develop an odor when bacteria, plaque, and debris build up on its surface. Cleaning the retainer daily and brushing your teeth before putting it back in can help control the smell.

3. Can you get a retainer without having braces?

Yes, you can get a retainer without having had braces, but a retainer is not a replacement for active orthodontic treatment. It holds an existing tooth position rather than moving teeth into a new one.

4. What is the difference between a retainer and an aligner?

An aligner is designed to move teeth through a planned sequence, while a retainer is designed to maintain the position achieved after treatment. Aligners are changed throughout active treatment, while retainers are generally made to fit the final position.

5. Can a night guard replace a retainer?

No, night guards and retainers have different purposes. A night guard is generally used to protect teeth from grinding forces, while a retainer maintains tooth alignment. A clear retainer should not automatically replace a prescribed night guard.

6. Do children and teenagers need retainers?

Children and teenagers who complete orthodontic treatment generally need retainers to help maintain their corrected tooth positions. Because their teeth and jaws can continue to develop, the provider may adjust the wear schedule as needed.

7. Is it too late to start wearing a retainer again?

It is not necessarily too late, but you should not force a retainer that no longer fits. If your teeth have shifted, a dental professional can assess the movement and determine whether you need a new retainer or further orthodontic treatment.

8. What are the risks of wearing a retainer?

Most retainer problems come from poor fit, inadequate cleaning, damage, or incorrect use. A dirty retainer can collect plaque and bacteria, while a damaged or poorly fitting one may not hold the teeth correctly. Sharp edges can also irritate the gums or tongue.

9. What do you do if you lose your retainer?

Contact your provider and arrange a replacement as soon as possible. Teeth can start shifting when retention stops. If you have a backup retainer, use it according to your provider's instructions, but do not wear an old one if it no longer fits or causes pain. ALIGNERCO also offers replacement clear retainers through its at-home process.