Orthodontic Retainers & Aftercare
Finishing braces or clear aligner treatment is an exciting milestone, but keeping your teeth in their new positions is an important part of orthodontic treatment.
After orthodontic treatment, teeth naturally have a tendency to move. Retainers help maintain your teeth, bite and arch form while the surrounding tissues adapt to the new tooth positions.
At Best Western Dental Centre, we generally use a combination of fixed and removable retainers, with the retention plan selected for each patient’s individual treatment.
Why Do I Need Retainers After Braces or Aligners?
Teeth are not permanently fixed in position when orthodontic treatment finishes. Some movement can occur throughout life, even in people who have never had orthodontic treatment.
Retainers are therefore important for protecting the result achieved with braces or clear aligners.
The type of retainer recommended depends on factors such as your original tooth positions, bite, arch form, age and the orthodontic movements completed during treatment.
Fixed Retainers
A fixed or bonded retainer is a thin wire attached to the inside surfaces of the front teeth.
Because it stays in place, it provides continuous retention without relying on you to remember to wear it.
Fixed retainers need good oral hygiene. We will show you how to clean around the wire and check it at dental and orthodontic reviews.
If a fixed retainer becomes loose or breaks, contact us promptly. A tooth can begin to move if the retainer is no longer holding it correctly.
Clear Removable Retainers
A clear removable retainer, sometimes called a vacuum-formed retainer (VFR), fits closely over the teeth and helps maintain their corrected positions.
You will be given instructions about when and how long to wear your retainer. Retainer wear is particularly important in the period immediately after orthodontic treatment.
Over time, the wearing schedule may be reduced, but long-term retainer wear is usually recommended to help maintain your orthodontic result.
Maintaining Arch Development and Expansion
Some orthodontic treatment involves arch development or expansion to create space and improve the relationship between the teeth and jaws.
In selected patients, particularly younger or growing patients who have had significant arch development, Dr Le may recommend a removable acrylic or arch-form retainer rather than relying only on a clear retainer.
This type of appliance can be designed to help maintain the developed arch width and form following orthodontic treatment.
The most appropriate retainer depends on how your teeth and arches were treated, so retention is planned individually.
How to Look After Your Removable Retainer
To keep your retainer clean and in good condition:
- Remove it when eating unless instructed otherwise
- Clean it regularly using cool or lukewarm water and the cleaning method recommended by our team
- Avoid hot water, which may distort the appliance
- Keep it in its protective case when it is not being worn
- Keep it away from pets, which commonly chew removable retainers
Bring your removable retainer to review appointments so we can check its fit and condition.
What If My Retainer Is Lost, Broken or No Longer Fits?
Contact us as soon as possible if your removable retainer is lost, damaged or no longer fits properly, or if your fixed retainer becomes loose.
Do not wait until your next routine appointment. Teeth can move when retention is interrupted, particularly soon after orthodontic treatment.
We can assess your teeth and retainer and advise whether it needs adjustment, repair or replacement.
How Long Do I Need to Wear Retainers?
There is no point at which teeth can be guaranteed never to move again.
For this reason, long-term retention is generally recommended after orthodontic treatment.
Your individual wearing schedule will depend on your treatment and the type of retainer provided. We will explain your retention plan when your braces or aligners are completed.
Protecting Your Orthodontic Result
Retainers are an important final stage of orthodontic treatment.
Regular dental reviews, good oral hygiene and wearing your removable retainer as instructed can help protect the result achieved with your braces or clear aligners.
If you have a problem with an existing retainer or would like advice about orthodontic retention, please contact Best Western Dental Centre.
Request an orthodontic appointment
Page reviewed by Dr Nathan Le, BDS (University of Sydney), August 2026.