Orthodontics
Retainers in Downtown Los Angeles
The part of orthodontics people skip, and the part that decides whether it lasted.
Straightening teeth takes months. Losing the result takes considerably less. Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry makes retainers from digital impressions of your finished position.
Why teeth move
Why teeth move back
Teeth are held in bone by a ligament, and after they have been moved that ligament carries tension back toward the position they came from. Bone remodels around the new position, but it does so slowly — considerably more slowly than the ligament pulls. A retainer holds the teeth still through that mismatch, which is why the retention phase is not an optional extra tacked onto the end of orthodontics but the part that decides whether any of it lasted. And because gentle drift continues for years afterwards, at a rate that never quite reaches zero, retention is a long-term habit rather than a short course with a finish line.
Getting one made
Getting one made
- From a digital scan The same scanner used for clear aligners captures the finished position precisely.
- Fitted and checked A retainer that does not seat properly is not holding anything.
- Wear as directed The schedule depends on your treatment and on how your teeth behave, so it comes from your clinician rather than from a web page.
Looking after it
The same care as any removable appliance: clean it daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case when it is not in use. Never hot water — it warps the plastic, and a warped retainer does not fit.
If it is lost, broken or no longer fits
Do not wait, and do not force one that has stopped seating. See retainer replacement — the sooner it is replaced, the less movement there is to undo.
Related
A retainer is worn at night, like a night guard, and the two are sometimes confused: a retainer holds position, a night guard protects against grinding. If you need both, say so and we will plan for it.
Retainers FAQ
- Do I really need one after aligners?
- Yes. Teeth drift back toward their original positions, and a retainer is what holds the result you spent months achieving.
- How long do I have to wear it?
- Retention is long-term rather than a short course, and the schedule depends on your treatment. Your clinician will set it.
- How do I clean it?
- Daily, with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case. Never use hot water — it warps the plastic.
- Is a retainer the same as a night guard?
- No. A retainer holds tooth position; a night guard protects teeth from grinding. Some people need both.
- What if it stops fitting?
- Do not force it. Contact us — a retainer that no longer seats is a sign teeth have moved, and the sooner it is dealt with the less there is to undo.
