Retainers in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, help protect the results of orthodontic treatment by keeping teeth in their corrected positions after braces or clear aligners are removed. At Smiles by Smith Orthodontics, our orthodontist and team provide customized retention care for patients who have recently completed treatment as well as those who need a lost, damaged or worn retainer replaced.
Dr. Bradley D. Smith has managed approximately 10,000 retention cases during his orthodontic career. His experience with long-term retention, digital scanning and in-office 3D printing allows him to provide personalized solutions designed to help patients maintain their orthodontic results.
Why Are Retainers Important After Orthodontic Treatment?
Teeth naturally have a tendency to shift after orthodontic treatment. Even after the teeth have been moved into healthier positions, the surrounding bone and tissues need time to adapt. Without consistent retainer wear, teeth may gradually move away from their corrected alignment.
A retainer helps stabilize the teeth and protect the time and effort invested in braces, Invisalign® clear aligners or another orthodontic treatment.
Our orthodontist may recommend retainers to help:
- Maintain tooth alignment after orthodontic treatment
- Reduce unwanted shifting or orthodontic relapse
- Support long-term stability of the bite
- Protect the results achieved with braces or clear aligners
- Provide continued support as the teeth and surrounding tissues adapt
Retention is not simply the final step of orthodontic treatment. It is an important part of maintaining the result over time.
Custom Retainers in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
Retainers should fit the patient’s teeth accurately and comfortably. Our orthodontist will evaluate each patient’s alignment, previous orthodontic treatment and retention needs before recommending the most appropriate option.
At the completion of orthodontic treatment in our practice, each patient receives a custom fixed lingual retainer and a clear removable retainer. This combination provides continuous support from the bonded retainer while allowing the removable retainer to help maintain the broader alignment of the teeth.
Patients are also provided with a custom 3D-printed model of their teeth. If a clear removable retainer needs to be remade in the future, the model may be brought back to our office to assist with replacement.
Types of Retainers
Different patients may benefit from different types of retainers. The appropriate choice depends on tooth position, previous treatment, long-term stability needs and how the retainer will be used.
Common retainer options include:
- Clear removable retainers: These custom-made retainers fit over the teeth and provide a discreet way to maintain alignment after orthodontic treatment.
- Fixed lingual retainers: A thin wire is bonded behind selected teeth to provide continuous retention without requiring the patient to remove or replace the appliance each day.
- Traditional removable retainers: Depending on the patient’s needs, a removable retainer made with acrylic and wire may also be considered.
Our orthodontist can explain the advantages and responsibilities associated with each option and recommend a retention plan based on the patient’s individual needs.
Replacement Retainers for Lost, Broken or Worn Appliances
If your retainer is lost, cracked, warped or no longer fits properly, it is important to contact an orthodontic office rather than simply stop wearing it. Teeth can begin shifting when retention is interrupted, and the amount of movement can vary from one patient to another.
Patients looking for a replacement retainer in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, can visit our offices for an evaluation. Our orthodontist can determine whether a new retainer can be made in the current tooth position or whether additional orthodontic care should be discussed if significant movement has already occurred.
Replacement may be appropriate when a retainer:
- Has been lost or misplaced
- Is cracked, broken or visibly worn
- Feels loose and no longer holds the teeth securely
- Has warped because of heat or improper storage
- No longer fits because the teeth have shifted
- Has become difficult to clean or maintain
If a retainer suddenly stops fitting, do not force it over the teeth. Contact our office so our orthodontist can evaluate the fit and recommend the appropriate next step.
Can You Get a New Retainer From a Different Orthodontist?
Yes. Patients do not necessarily need to return to the orthodontic office where their original treatment was completed to ask about a replacement retainer. Our orthodontist can evaluate patients who completed treatment elsewhere and determine whether a new retainer may be appropriate.
This can be helpful for patients who have moved, lost access to their previous orthodontist, experienced orthodontic relapse or simply need an updated retention solution.
If the teeth have already moved significantly, a replacement retainer may not be able to return them to their previous positions. In that situation, our orthodontist can discuss whether limited retreatment, clear aligners or another orthodontic option should be considered before a new retainer is made.
Digital Scanning and 3D Printing for Retainers
Digital technology plays an important role in the retention process at Smiles by Smith Orthodontics. Dr. Smith has used digital intraoral scanning for more than 10 years and in-office 3D printing for approximately eight years.
Our offices use an iTero® intraoral scanner to create digital impressions without relying on traditional impression material for many workflows. These scans can be used to create accurate digital models of the teeth and support the fabrication of custom retainers.
Orthodontic technology also allows our team to maintain a digital and impressionless workflow whenever appropriate. The goal is to make the process of creating, replacing and monitoring retainers as efficient and personalized as possible.
How Long Do You Need to Wear a Retainer?
Retention needs vary, but maintaining orthodontic results is generally a long-term commitment. Teeth can continue to shift throughout life because of normal changes in the mouth, aging, tooth wear and other factors.
Our orthodontist and team will provide individualized instructions regarding when and how often a removable retainer should be worn. Some patients may initially wear a retainer more frequently before transitioning to nighttime wear, while others may have different recommendations based on their treatment and retention needs.
Following the prescribed wear schedule is one of the most important things a patient can do to help preserve orthodontic results.
How to Care for Your Retainer
Proper care can help keep a removable retainer clean, comfortable and functional. Patients should follow the instructions provided by our team and let us know if the retainer changes in fit or condition.
General retainer care may include:
- Rinsing the retainer after removal
- Cleaning it with a gentle retainer-safe cleanser
- Avoiding hot water that may distort plastic retainers
- Keeping removable retainers in a protective case when they are not being worn
- Keeping retainers away from pets, heat and accidental disposal
- Bringing the retainer to orthodontic visits when requested
- Contacting our office if the retainer cracks, breaks or stops fitting properly
Toothpaste can be abrasive on some clear retainers, so patients should follow the cleaning instructions provided by our team rather than assuming that regular toothpaste is appropriate.
What If My Teeth Have Shifted After Orthodontic Treatment?
Some patients seek retainer care because they have noticed that their teeth are no longer in the same positions they were when treatment ended. This is sometimes referred to as orthodontic relapse.
Minor movement may sometimes be managed with a new retention plan, but a retainer is designed primarily to hold teeth rather than provide comprehensive orthodontic tooth movement. If the teeth have shifted enough that a retainer no longer fits or the patient is unhappy with the alignment, our orthodontist can evaluate the amount of movement and discuss available options.
Dr. Smith also provides orthodontic retreatment and refinements for patients who have experienced relapse after previous orthodontic care. The appropriate solution depends on the amount of movement, the bite and the patient’s treatment goals.
Retainers After Braces and Clear Aligners
Retention is important whether treatment was completed with traditional braces, ceramic braces or clear aligners. Once active orthodontic tooth movement is finished, the teeth still require support to maintain their new positions.
Patients who have completed braces treatment or clear aligner therapy receive retention instructions based on their individual orthodontic result. Our orthodontist can also evaluate patients who completed treatment elsewhere and need a new retainer or updated retention plan.
Supporting Your Smile for the Long Term
Dr. Smith has managed approximately 10,000 retention cases and considers retention an essential part of comprehensive orthodontic care. His goal is not only to help patients achieve improved alignment but also to give them the tools and guidance needed to protect those results.
At Smiles by Smith Orthodontics, our team provides ongoing support for patients who have recently completed treatment, need a replacement retainer or have questions about changes in their alignment. Our offices are located in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, and we also welcome patients from nearby Fox Chapel and surrounding communities.
Schedule a Retainer Visit in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
If you need custom retainers in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, or have lost, broken or outgrown your current retainer, our orthodontist can evaluate your teeth and recommend the appropriate next step.
Contact our office today to schedule a visit and learn more about custom retainers, replacement retainers and long-term orthodontic retention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retainers
How long do I need to wear my retainer?
Retainer wear is typically a long-term part of maintaining orthodontic results. Your specific schedule depends on your treatment and retention needs. Our orthodontist will provide instructions about how often and how long to wear your retainer.
What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?
Teeth can gradually shift when a retainer is not worn as directed. The amount and speed of movement vary among patients. If your retainer no longer fits after a period without wear, contact our office rather than forcing it onto your teeth.
Can I get a replacement retainer if I lost mine?
Yes. Our orthodontist can evaluate your current tooth positions and determine whether a replacement retainer can be made. Scheduling promptly may be helpful because teeth can begin moving when retention is interrupted.
Can I get a new retainer if I had orthodontic treatment somewhere else?
Yes. Our orthodontist can evaluate patients who completed orthodontic treatment at another practice. We can assess your current alignment and discuss whether a new retainer, updated retention plan or additional orthodontic care may be appropriate.
Why does my old retainer no longer fit?
A retainer may stop fitting because the teeth have shifted, the appliance has warped or the retainer has become damaged. Do not force a retainer that no longer fits. Our orthodontist can evaluate the cause and recommend the appropriate next step.
Do retainers need to be replaced?
Yes. Retainers can wear, crack, warp or become loose over time. If your retainer is damaged or no longer fits securely, contact our office so we can determine whether replacement is needed.
Can I clean my retainer with toothpaste?
Some toothpastes can be abrasive and may scratch clear retainers. A gentle retainer-safe cleaner may be more appropriate. Follow the specific cleaning instructions provided by our team for your type of retainer.
What is the difference between a fixed and removable retainer?
A fixed retainer is bonded behind the teeth and provides continuous support, while a removable retainer can be taken out for eating, cleaning and other activities. Some patients may use both types as part of their retention plan.
Can a retainer straighten teeth that have shifted?
Retainers are primarily designed to maintain tooth positions rather than provide comprehensive orthodontic treatment. If your teeth have shifted, our orthodontist can evaluate the amount of movement and determine whether a new retainer or orthodontic retreatment should be considered.
Do you provide replacement retainers in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA?
Yes. Our orthodontist and team provide custom and replacement retainers at our offices in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA. We also welcome patients from nearby Fox Chapel and surrounding communities who need help maintaining their orthodontic results.