Getting your braces off is an exciting milestone, but keeping your new smile straight requires one more important step: wearing your retainer. Retainers help prevent teeth from shifting after braces and protect the results of your orthodontic treatment. At Leber Orthodontics in Tucson, every patient receives removable retainers, while bonded retainers may also be recommended for certain patients based on their individual needs.
After months of watching your smile transform, there's nothing quite like the day your braces come off. But even though active treatment is finished, your orthodontic journey isn't quite over.
Your teeth need time to settle into their new positions, and that's where retainers come in. At Leber Orthodontics, we want Tucson patients to enjoy their new smiles for years to come. Here's why wearing your retainer is one of the most important parts of protecting the results you've worked hard to achieve.
Why Do You Need a Retainer After Braces? 🦷
Once your braces are removed, your teeth can naturally try to move back toward their previous positions. This movement is known as orthodontic relapse.
A retainer helps hold your teeth in their corrected positions while the tissues surrounding them adjust after treatment.
Think of your retainer as a way to protect your investment: braces do the work of moving your teeth, while retainers help keep them where they're supposed to be.
What Kind of Retainer Will I Get?
At Leber Orthodontics, every patient receives standard removable retainers after treatment.
Your orthodontist may also recommend adding a lingual bonded retainer, sometimes called a permanent or fixed retainer. This is a thin wire bonded behind the teeth to help prevent them from shifting.
Bonded retainers can be especially helpful for patients who had:
- A large space between their front teeth
- Severe crowding before treatment
Not every patient needs or is a candidate for a bonded retainer. Your orthodontist will evaluate your pre-treatment tooth alignment and recommend the approach that makes the most sense for your smile.
Removable vs. Permanent Retainers: What's the Difference?
😁 Removable Retainers
Removable retainers can be taken out when necessary and are provided to all Leber Ortho patients after treatment. It's important to wear and care for them according to your orthodontist's instructions to help maintain your results.
Because they're removable, you'll also want to keep track of them carefully and avoid accidentally throwing them away or damaging them.
🦷 Bonded or "Permanent" Retainers
A bonded retainer is attached behind your teeth, so you don't have to remember to put it in every day.
The tradeoff is that bonded retainers can make flossing and keeping the area around the teeth clean more challenging. When a bonded retainer is recommended, Leber Ortho generally recommends keeping it long term, for at least two years.
Even if your orthodontist recommends one, the choice is ultimately yours. Our team can discuss the benefits and considerations with you before you decide.
How Do I Take Care of My Retainer? 🪥
Taking good care of your retainer helps it continue doing its job.
For removable retainers, follow the cleaning and storage instructions provided by your orthodontic team and always put your retainer somewhere safe when you're not wearing it.
If you have a bonded retainer, pay extra attention to brushing and flossing around the wire. Because the retainer sits behind your teeth, keeping the area clean is especially important for maintaining good oral hygiene.
And don't forget to continue seeing your general dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
What If I Lose or Break My Retainer?
It happens! Retainers can occasionally be lost, damaged, or broken.
If something happens to your retainer, contact Leber Orthodontics rather than simply going without it. Teeth can shift when they're no longer being held in position, so addressing a missing or damaged retainer promptly can help protect your results.
Do Retainers Really Matter Long Term? ⏱️
Yes! Straightening your teeth is only part of creating a lasting smile. Retention helps preserve the alignment achieved during braces treatment.
Following your orthodontist's instructions and consistently wearing your removable retainer can help prevent unwanted movement and keep your smile looking its best.
Your specific retention plan may be different from someone else's, which is why it's important to follow the recommendations provided by your orthodontist.
Protect the Smile You've Worked For 🏜️
Getting your braces off deserves to be celebrated—but don't forget about the important role your retainer plays afterward.
At Leber Orthodontics, we've helped Tucson families achieve healthy, confident smiles for over 50 years. From your first orthodontic consultation through braces and retention, our team is here to help you maintain the results you've worked hard to achieve.
👉 Have questions about your retainer or orthodontic treatment? Contact Leber Orthodontics today and let our team help you keep your smile looking its best.