It is a wonderful day of celebration when any patient has completed their orthodontic treatment. Although these special moments are currently postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we often receive questions about when it is time for a new retainer. Dr. Updike, an Irvine orthodontist, will discuss the three most common reasons why your retainer may not be fitting properly and when it is time to replace it.
Your Teeth Changed
It is important that your retainers fit perfectly the day you leave the orthodontic office when completing treatment. The first common reason why your retainer may no longer fits is because our teeth slightly change over the years. It may be minor or significant due to how closely you followed your orthodontist’s post-treatment plan. Those who wear their retainers most often will experience less movement, but there is no retainer out there that prevents teeth movement completely. There are various factors aside from not wearing your retainer enough, such as teeth grinding, that may cause your teeth to shift over time.
The Retainer Is Damaged
If a retainer is damaged or does not properly fit on your teeth, it’s time to replace it. Whether they have been left out too long in the car and have slightly melted, your dog chewed them up, or you stepped on them, wearing a damaged retainer is not ideal and we recommend consulting your orthodontist for a replacement.
Wear and Tear
Even if you wore your retainers consistently and upkept them the best as you can, wear and tear over time is inevitable. With normal use, retainers, just like any other object, will wear out over time. Each patient’s retainer life is different, while most retainers last on average of 2-3 years, but there are definitely cases of retainers lasting 5 to 10 years! Some signs that your retainers are worn out are discoloration, calcium buildup that you can no longer get rid of, distortion, or even a loose fit even though the retainer is not physically damaged.
If you have any additional questions at this time regarding your retainers, please contact us at (949) 870- 9713. Most importantly, we hope you are staying safe at home during these times. We are here to support you with any additional questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you in our offices again soon!
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