You’ve Completed Orthodontic Treatment Now What?
Retainers: Protecting Your New Smile
Congratulations on completing your orthodontic treatment! Whether you straightened your teeth with Braces or Invisalign®, your smile transformation doesn’t end there. The final (and essential) phase of your treatment is wearing retainers your best tool for maintaining your beautiful results long term.
Teeth naturally tend to shift back to their original positions over time. Retainers work to hold your teeth in place, giving your jaw and soft tissues time to stabilize and adjust after active treatment.
Why Retainers Matter
Without proper retention, all the progress you made during treatment can begin to reverse. Wearing a retainer protects your investment and ensures your smile stays straight, healthy, and confident for years to come.
Our team will give you a customized retention plan and walk you through everything you need to know so you feel confident, equipped, and fully supported.
Vivera™ Retainers by Invisalign®
For patients who love the look and feel of Invisalign®, Vivera™ retainers are an excellent option. These premium clear retainers are:
- Custom made using advanced 3D imaging technology
- Up to 30% stronger than other clear retainers
- Designed for long-term durability and comfort
Vivera™ retainers are available for purchase even if you didn’t have Invisalign® at our office just ask us during your visit!
Types of Retainers We Offer
We offer a variety of retainer options to suit your lifestyle and smile needs:
Hawley Retainer:
A classic removable retainer made of a thin metal wire and acrylic. Durable, adjustable, and easy to wear.
Clear Retainer:
Made of transparent plastic, this removable retainer is custom fit to your smile and nearly invisible perfect for patients who prefer a discreet option.
Fixed Retainer:
A thin wire permanently attached behind your front teeth. This option is great for patients who want constant retention without having to think about it daily.
Frequently Question & Answer
A retainer is a custom-made appliance designed to hold your teeth in their new position after braces or Invisalign treatment. After your orthodontic treatment is complete, your teeth naturally want to shift back to their original positions. Retainers prevent this relapse and help preserve your smile long-term.
If you don’t wear your retainer as recommended, your teeth can gradually move out of alignment. This may eventually require additional orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign again to correct the shifting. That means more time, cost, and inconvenience, which we want to help you avoid!
For most removable retainers, you should take them out when eating or drinking anything other than water. Eating with your retainer in place can cause damage and trap food, increasing the risk of plaque buildup or staining.
If you have a permanent retainer, it stays in place while eating but you’ll need to take extra care to keep the area clean.
If your retainer becomes cracked, bent, or broken, contact our office right away. Wearing a damaged retainer can be ineffective or even harmful and delaying a repair may allow your teeth to shift. We’ll work quickly to repair or replace your retainer so you can stay on track with your results.
You’ll start by wearing your retainer full-time for several months
Over time, you’ll likely transition to nighttime wear only
Check-ins with Dr. Do deLatour will ensure your retention plan is working effectively
Clean it daily with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water (no hot water!)
Soak your retainer in dental cleaning tablets (available at most pharmacies) or hydrogen peroxide
Store it in its case when not in use to avoid loss or damage
Avoid chewing on it or exposing it to extreme heat
Bring it to appointments so we can check the fit and function
Retainers are the final phase of your orthodontic journey and we want to make it easy and stress free. Our team is always here to answer your questions, make adjustments, or schedule a follow up if anything doesn’t feel right.
Call (817) 308-1580 if you have questions post treatment or want to ask about Vivera™ retainers. Dr. Do deLatour and our caring team will make sure you feel confident in your next step no pressure, just support.