Custom Retainers in Oakdale, CA

Custom Retainers in Oakdale, CA

Retainers are an important part of any orthodontic treatment plan. Blackhart Dentistry provides custom retainers in Oakdale, CA, after wearing metal braces or clear aligners, and your teeth have already aligned. It is essential to wear your retainers daily and adhere to the prescribed duration. Read on to learn why and learn more about retainers.

What are Custom Retainers?

Retainers are specially designed dental devices that help maintain teeth in their newly aligned position, and are typically worn after braces or aligners. They preserve the effects of orthodontic treatment by preventing teeth from moving back to their original locations. There are two primary types of retainers: removable retainers, which can be taken in and out, and fixed (permanent) retainers, which are glued to the teeth.

• Fixed Retainers: Usually placed on the front lower teeth, these are tiny wires that are permanently attached to the rear of the teeth. They need to be cleaned regularly to avoid plaque accumulation.  These are typically recommended only for teenagers after having orthodontic treatment due to their low compliance in wearing a removable retainer.  However for most adults, this is not as good of an option as it is difficult to clean and does not provide the best protection long-term against relapse and shifting teeth.

• Removable Retainers: These are made from either classic wire and plastic (Hawley Retainers) or solely of clear plastic (Clear Aligners). They can be taken out for cleaning or when eating, and after the first few months are worn only at night.
  • Clear aligners are the best option to hold all of the teeth in their final position because they wrap around and cover every tooth surface.  However they do need to be replaced every 1-2 years due to wear and tear of the plastic.  With heavy grinding the plastic can stretch and allow the teeth to shift.
  • Hawley retainers can last slightly longer, but do not wrap around all of the teeth and can allow some movement of the teeth over time, as well as some stretching and bending of the wire, so they are not recommended as a long-term solution.
  • Vivera retainers are what we recommend, and they are a set of four clear retainers so you will always have a back-up to be ready when it’s time to change your retainer.  We can also order more when you are on your final set.

The Importance of Retainers

A retainer stabilizes the oral structures and keeps your teeth in place once they are put in the correct position. This step is crucial to your outcomes because without it, your teeth may shift out of alignment and necessitate additional orthodontic care. To get the most benefits your retainer must be worn and cared for properly. Thankfully, a retainer is quite simple to use and maintain, and any initial discomfort should go away within a few days of use.

How to Take Care of Retainers

1. Retainers require daily brushing, just like teeth.

2. The best toothpaste and toothbrush are your standard ones; stay away from hot water and household cleaning supplies.

3. Avoid applying too much pressure to the wires and back edges of the retainer; instead, hold it firmly by the plastic middle section.

4. Take your time taking out the retainer. Using your thumbs at the bottom and your pointer fingers at the top, start at the back and slowly draw out. Gently move around until the retainer “pops” out. The retainer may become weak or break if you attempt to remove it from the front with force.

5. When not in use, such as while eating, drinking, or swimming, don’t forget to keep your retainer in its case.

6. Wear your retainers every night.

Keep Your Smile Aligned for Life

Blackhart Dentistry offers custom retainers in Oakdale, CA. Dr. Blackhart will assess which type of retainer best suits your needs and goals. He will also give you more thorough care instructions.

Retainer Instructions

First 3 Months After Orthodontic Treatment

Your teeth need time to stabilize during the months after active orthodontic treatment.  For 3 months, wear your retainers for 22 hours every day to avoid shifting.  Only remove them to eat and brush your teeth.  

After 3 months, you can begin wearing your retainers only at night. You will need to wear retainers every night to prevent any changes or shifting of your teeth.  Missing a day here and there will not be detrimental, but if it becomes a habit, your retainers may no longer fit properly over time.

Clear plastic retainers are highly effective at maintaining your smile, but they typically last up to 2 years before showing signs of wear or stretching. Some people may need replacements sooner—around every 6–12 months—depending on factors such as:

• Heavy grinding/clenching at night, which many people do without even realizing it.  
• Your first aligner may also wear more quickly because you are wearing it for 22 hours for the first 3 months.
• Inconsistent use, which can cause added pressure when worn again
• Unsafe storage allowing pets to destroy or hide retainers
• Many other uncommon reasons that could lead to stretching or misshapen retainers

Proper care and consistent use will help extend the life of your retainers and keep your smile aligned.

Every 6 Months

To determine if your retainers have stretched, you should always have a new unused retainer to try every 6 months—often during your routine dental cleaning visit. If the new retainers feel tighter than your current ones, it’s a sign that your existing retainers have loosened, and it’s time to switch to a new set before any shifting occurs.

If you only have one set of retainers, there is no way to determine if your retainer has stretched until your teeth start noticeably shifting. By that point, it is already too late, and some shifting may have already happened. Getting a new scan for new retainers will stop further shifting, but it won’t move your teeth back to the position you were happiest with.

This is why we often recommend options like Vivera, which provide multiple sets of retainers along with a saved digital scan. This makes it easier to replace your retainers when needed and maintain your results over time.

When You Need More Retainers

Please call our office when you’re ready to upgrade from a single set of retainers to a more secure option for protecting the smile you’ve worked hard to achieve. We can schedule a visit to scan your teeth and provide you with Vivera retainers.

You can also let us know when you begin using your last set of Vivera retainers. You don’t ever want to be without a backup on hand. If you haven’t had any major dental work and have been following your retainer instructions consistently, you will likely not need a new scan or impression.

Cleaning Retainers

Feel free to bring your retainers with you during your regular dental cleaning appointments. We’re happy to professionally clean them and help keep them in good condition.