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.
The short answer
A retainer is a custom appliance that holds teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment such as clear aligners or braces. It is made from a digital scan of your finished position, fitted and checked so it seats properly, and then worn on a schedule your clinician sets for your treatment. Because the ligament holding each tooth pulls back toward where it started faster than the bone remodels, a retainer is what preserves the result, and retention is a long-term habit rather than a short course.
Retainers FAQ
- Do I really need one after aligners?
- Yes, a retainer is needed after aligners because teeth drift back toward their original positions. After teeth are moved, the ligament holding them carries tension back toward where they came from, and the bone remodels around the new position more slowly than that ligament pulls. A retainer holds the teeth still through that mismatch. It is what keeps 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 exact schedule depends on your treatment. Gentle drift continues for years after orthodontic treatment, at a rate that never quite reaches zero. How your teeth behave also affects how often the retainer needs to be worn. Your clinician sets the schedule for your case rather than a general rule.
- How do I clean it?
- Clean your retainer daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case when it is not in use. This is the same care as any removable appliance. Never use hot water, because it warps the plastic. A warped retainer no longer fits, and a retainer that does not fit is not holding anything.
- Is a retainer the same as a night guard?
- No, a retainer holds tooth position, while a night guard protects the teeth from grinding. Both can be worn at night, which is why the two are sometimes confused. They do different jobs, so one cannot simply stand in for the other. Some people need both, and if that applies to you, it can be planned for.
- What if it stops fitting?
- If your retainer stops fitting, do not force it, and get in touch as soon as possible. A retainer that no longer seats is a sign the teeth have moved. The sooner it is dealt with, the less movement there is to undo. The same applies if a retainer is lost or broken, and the retainer replacement page covers what happens next.
