If you have recently undergone and completed braces or clear aligners treatment, you might be feeling a sense of relief. Your immediate thought might have been: Finally! No more discomfort! Freedom!
That was also what I thought when I completed my braces treatment many years ago!
However, your dentist or orthodontist then informs you that you would need to wear retainers for at least 20-22 hours a day, for the rest of your life. If you have gone: NOO! despairingly, I certainly get your predicament.
Orthodontic treatment can be/is a lifelong commitment. It does not stop when you complete your braces or clear aligners treatment. However, maintaining the results that you have does not have to be difficult or tedious.
I have written this article to help address all commonly asked questions about retainers after braces or clear aligners treatment.
What are Retainers?
Retainers are used to retain the final position of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. This is necessary as your teeth are more prone to relapsing immediately after treatment. This is because the roots of your teeth are still in motion and have not “settled.”
In some instances, patients have lamented about how their teeth relapsed after a month of not wearing retainers. However, the amount of time when teeth relapse happens differs from individual to individual.
There are many different types of retainers that you can choose from, depending on your personal preferences and lifestyle habits. The most popular retainers are clear plastic retainers made out of Essix or Zendura plastic sheets.
Other common retainers include metal retainers like Hawleys which can be colour customised or cobalt-chrome retainers that are made to last. In some cases, fixed retainers that are bonded onto the back of your upper and lower teeth are combined with clear retainers for better retention.
Brands like Angel Aligner and Invisalign also produce their own retainers made out of their own proprietary materials.
Which type of retainers are most durable?
If you are looking for retainers that can last you for a long time, you will not go wrong with metal retainers. Metal retainers like Hawley retainers or cobalt-chrome retainers are sturdy, durable and built to last for a long time.
If you are looking for an affordable metal retainer, it is possible to get your Hawley retainers from kohe™ Dental at $450 for both upper and lower. There are no additional costs besides the cost of the metal retainers.
How Much Do Retainers Typically Cost in Singapore?
Depending on what type of retainers you have chosen, retainers in Singapore typically cost around $200 – $450 per arch. This might not include the following costs:
- Consultation (Usually $30 – $80);
- X-rays (Some clinics insist on this);
- 3D Scans (Some clinics charge a separate fee for this);
- Consumables and disposables (Some clinics charge an additional fee for this);
- GST (as per current governmental rates);
- Reviews upon collection of retainers (Some clinics charge for reviews).
At kohe™ Dental, in a bid to help patients retain their final teeth positions, we have made retainers more budget-friendly. Our clear retainers are $215 NETT for both upper and lower. There are no additional costs to this.
You can find a full list of our retainer costs as follows:
| Zendura Retainers (1 Set) | $215 |
| Zendura Retainers (3 Sets) | $510 |
| Angel Aligner Clear Retainers (3 Sets) | $520 |
| Vivera Clear Retainers (3 Sets) | $890 |
Why are retainers so expensive in Singapore?
Retainers do not have to be expensive! At kohe™ Dental, we have made it more affordable for patients who require retainers.
However, retainers can be expensive at some dental clinics because of the following reasons:
- The cost of lab fees for retainer production;
- The materials used for retainer production;
- The amount of mark up the dental clinic has;
- The rates of the dentist or dental clinic.
Are store bought retainers safe to wear?
Store bought retainers are often not customised to your current set of teeth. Even boil and bite retainers do not 100% fit to your teeth.
While the cost of store bought retainers can be more affordable (often less than $100), the risks can often outweigh the cost benefits.
If you are contemplating whether or not to buy store bought retainers, here are some things you might want to consider:
- When you head to a dental clinic for retainers, the retainers are made according to the existing shape of your teeth using dental impressions or 3D scans.
Store bought retainers are often one-size-fits-all. They are not designed for your unique bite or alignment. Wearing one can apply uneven pressure on your teeth, leading to:
- Tooth movement in the wrong direction
- Jaw pain or discomfort
- Bite misalignment
- Increased risk of relapse
- A dental clinic usually makes their retainers with reputable dental laboratories. Some dental clinics have in-house labs that create their own retainers using high-quality and tried-and-tested materials.
Store bought retainers that are cheaper than average are usually not made of medical-grade materials. Some of the materials may even contain toxic substances that might not be suitable for long-term wear and usage. These materials can:- Warp easily under heat
- Break quickly under normal usage
- Trigger an allergic reaction or cause irritation.
If cost is a concern, it might be best to find a dental clinic that offers affordable retainers so that you are able to get medical-grade retainers that will not harm you and your teeth.
How Long Do I Have To Wear Retainers?
You will typically have to wear your retainers for 20-22 hours every day after you have completed orthodontic treatment. Patients are usually advised to wear on their retainers full-time for at least 3-6 months post orthodontic treatment.
I usually inform all my patients to wear their retainers full-time for at least 12-24 months after treatment to prevent teeth relapse.
When I first completed braces treatment, I was only removing them during meals. In many ways, wearing retainers can feel like undergoing a full course of clear aligner treatment again except without the tooth movement.
If you, like many of my patients who are working professionals, find it hard to commit to a 20-22 hours wearing schedule, it is possible to bypass this with the following options:
- Put on a pair of fixed retainers that are bonded behind your teeth and
- Wear on your clear retainers or metal retainers only when you sleep.
Do I really have to wear retainers for the rest of my life?
The quick answer is: Yes, you do have to wear retainers for as long as you want your teeth to stay in position.
While your teeth might have shifted into your desired position, it might not necessarily stop moving. Teeth are never truly done moving, even after decades of retainer wear.
Certain factors like aging, jaw pressure, your bite patterns, or even grinding your teeth at night can cause them to shift. Wearing retainers at night is a small but safe habit that protects the time and money you invested in your smile.
How long can I not wear retainers before I have a tooth relapse?
This differs from patient to patient but the common theme should be: Do not leave room for chance.
For most people, tooth relapse can begin within a few days to weeks of not wearing retainers. The first few months after treatment are the most critical. If you stop wearing your retainers during this time, your teeth can quickly start to move out of place.
This is especially true for the front teeth, which are most prone to shifting.
Will my teeth change if I stop wearing retainers after the recommended period of time?
There are no guarantees for this. It really differs from patient to patient. For some patients, their teeth can still shift even after the recommended period.
While the most dramatic movement happens shortly after treatment, teeth naturally continue to shift throughout life due to everyday forces like chewing, jaw growth, and tongue pressure.
That is why many dentists and orthodontists recommend nighttime retainers for life, not to punish you, but to protect your smile long-term.
Is It Important To Use My Retainers?
Yes. Your retainers should be your MOST constant companion for the rest of your life if you want to maintain your straight teeth.
Think of them like insurance for your smile. Without them, your teeth can slowly (or sometimes quickly) return to their original positions especially if your orthodontic case involves correcting crowding or bite issues.
Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the easiest way to avoid needing braces or clear aligners again in the future.
How Will Retainers Affect My Daily Life?
Retainers are meant to be a passive presence in your life. It should not affect your daily life much at all.
Some of the key habits that you might have to get used to might be having to clean your retainers daily with a toothbrush before putting them back on. Improper care can lead to bad smelling retainers, bad breath, plaque build up or even mold.
You will also need to carry a retainer case along with you when you are out. Many patients lose their retainers because they are accidentally tossed away when placed inside a napkin or left behind.
However, during the initial wearing period, you might feel the following:
- Your speech might feel slightly hindered;
- You might feel as if you have a slight lisp when speaking;
- You might feel tempted to keep touching your retainers with your tongue;
- You might feel slight discomfort from wearing your retainers full-time.
Do wearing retainers hurt?
No, wearing your retainers should not hurt. Retainers are not like clear aligners. They do not move teeth. It should not hurt wearing your retainers as they are meant to fit snugly on your teeth.
In some cases, retainers can cause discomfort because your teeth have shifted after prolonged periods of not wearing retainers. The shape of the retainers can also be a reason for your discomfort. Clear retainers that are not scalloped (round and curved edges) can sometimes cause gum irritation. Hawley metal retainers can cause discomfort when the top of the Hawley plate rubs against your palate.
If you wish to keep your retainers from “poking” into your gums, do ask the dental clinic to make scalloped clear retainers. There might be a small additional fee involved to do the scalloping on the retainers as dental labs do it manually.
How Do I Clean My Retainers?
To keep your retainers fresh and hygienic, you can follow the following tips:
- Rinse them with cool or lukewarm water every time you remove them. Do not use hot water to rinse them as this can warp the retainers (especially if you have clear retainers).
- Brush them gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush. A hard-bristle toothbrush can scratch the surface of the retainers and cause it to look rough. Do not use toothpaste as toothpaste can be abrasive.
- Soak them in a retainer cleaning solution 1-2 times a week to further rinse them down.
- Avoid placing your retainers in hot or boiling water, or alcohol-based mouthwash as these substances can warp or damage the material.
- For convenience, you can clean your retainers at the same time you brush your teeth in the morning and before bed to build a consistent habit.
Why are my retainers turning yellow?
You retainers might be turning yellow because of any one of the following reasons:
- Bacteria and plaque buildup from not cleaning them properly;
- Drinking coloured fluids like coffee, tea or wine with them on;
- Wearing your retainers after drinking or eating, without first rinsing;
- Exposure to heat, or improper cleaning products;
- Saliva proteins that accumulate over time to discolour the retainers.
Yellowing is especially common with clear plastic retainers like Essix clear retainers.
Should I continue to wear my retainers if they have turned yellow?
Yes, you can continue to wear your retainers even if they have turned yellow BUT… I would highly recommend that you change them out as soon as you can.
Yellowed retainers can mean that there is a significant amount of bacterial buildup. Imagine wearing something that has a high amount of bacteria in your mouth for a prolonged amount of time. Yikes!
If left unchanged, it can often cause bad breath, gum irritation or even oral infections.
Do I have to remove my retainers when I sleep?
No, you do not have to remove your retainers when you sleep. Retainers are not like dentures. You can and should wear your retainers while you sleep.
In fact, nighttime wear is the most common long-term retainer routine after orthodontic treatment. Retainers are designed to be worn comfortably during sleep to keep your teeth in their correct position.
You only need to remove them when you are eating or drinking (other than water), brushing and flossing or cleaning the retainers.
How Long Can My Retainers Last?
How long your retainers last is largely dependent on the type of material used, how thick the retainer material is, and how well you care for them.
Most retainers have an average lifespan of about 1 to 3 years depending on the materials used. Some patients have told me that their retainers have lasted them more than 5 years!
For a better breakdown, here are some average retainer lifespans:
- Clear plastic (Essix) retainers: Usually last 6 months to 2 years before needing replacement due to wear, cracks, or yellowing.
- Clear plastic (Zendura) retainers: Usually last 1 to 3 years before needing replacement due to wear, cracks, or yellowing.
- Hawley retainers (acrylic + wire): Can last 5–10 years with proper care and occasional adjustments.
- Fixed (permanent) retainers: Can last 5–10 years or more, but may need rebonding if the wire detaches or breaks.
What should I do if my retainers break?
If your retainers are broken, please stop using them immediately and contact your dentist or orthodontist for a replacement. If you have done 3D scans with your existing dental provider, they might be able to make you a new replacement without having to re-take your scans in person.
A broken retainer will not be able hold your teeth in the correct position and may even cause unwanted movement or injury. If your teeth start shifting, you may need urgent adjustments or new retainers.
Can I still wear my cracked retainers?
This is not recommended, but if there is no alternative at the moment, you should only do it as a temporary measure, and only if they still fit snugly without causing discomfort or cuts.
A cracked retainer can quickly become ineffective or even break completely while wearing it. You should contact your dental provider as quickly as you can to get a replacement to avoid tooth relapse.
Why are my retainers getting loose?
Your retainers might start getting loose because of the following reasons:
- Plastic warping from heat or wear (for clear retainers);
- Tooth movement or shifting from inconsistent wear;
- Loss of fit because of teeth grinding (bruxism), pressure or bite changes.
Loose retainers will not be able to effectively hold your teeth in place. When this happens, please arrange for a retainer replacement as soon as possible.
Should I wear my retainers if the retainers get loose?
You can still wear your retainers if they are loose but try to get them changed as soon as you can. This is because loose retainers may not be able to hold on your teeth as well.
It is important to have your retainers refitted or replaced quickly to avoid long-term changes to your smile.
How often should I replace my retainers?
There is really no fixed and set in stone rule. The following is just an average:
- Clear retainers: You should probably replace your retainers every 12 months, or whenever it becomes discoloured, cracked or loose.
- Hawley retainers: Replace every 5–10 years, unless damaged or distorted.
- Fixed retainers: Inspect regularly. Replace only if the wire breaks, detaches, or causes buildup.
Are Digital Impressions or Physical Impressions Better for Retainers?
Both digital and physical techniques are able to get the impressions needed for your retainers.
However, digital impressions are highly precise and reduce the risk of distortion that can happen with putty molds. It thus provides a more accurate retainer fit.
Besides that, patients who have a sensitive gag reflex prefer digital impressions. Physical impressions require trays with putty placed into the mouth. Digital impressions do not induce gagging or a mess in the mouth.
Digital scans can also be sent instantly to the dental lab, reducing the average turnaround time needed for you to get your retainers. Physical impressions, on the other hand, require the dental clinic to send the impressions to the dental lab first. This slows down retainer fabrication.
Should you require another retainer because you have misplaced your retainers, digital impressions allow you to replace another without returning to the clinic. Your scans are saved digitally and sent directly to the dental lab for fabrication.
Do’s and Don’ts for Retainers
If you are unclear as to what you should or should not do with your retainers, the following is a great summary of the do’s and don’t’s for retainers:
DO wear them as instructed
Please follow the guidance of your dentist or orthodontist. Do not self-prescribe your own usage hours. If you have just completed orthodontic treatment, please wear them for at least 20–22 hours per day right after treatment, then nightly for the rest of your life.
DO clean them daily
Use a soft toothbrush and cool water. Soak in retainer cleaning tablets 1–2 times a week for a deeper clean.
DO store them in a case
Always keep your retainers in a case when not in use. Napkins, tissue, and pockets are the fastest way to lose them.
DO rinse after removal
Rinse with water after each removal to prevent buildup of bacteria and plaque.
DO Handle with clean hands
Always wash your hands before handling your retainers.
DO keep away from pets
Dogs and cats love chewing on retainers. Please store your retainers safely and securely.
DO NOT eat or drink with them on
Food and drinks (other than water) can stain or warp your retainers and trap bacteria.
DO NOT use toothpaste or hot water
Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch the plastic; hot water can warp the shape of your retainer.
DO NOT bend or force them in
Forcing a retainer that no longer fits can damage your teeth or the retainer itself.
DO NOT skip wear time
Even one or two days off can cause slight tooth movement. Stick to your schedule to prevent relapse.
DO NOT ignore cracks or looseness
If your retainers feel off or damaged, contact your dentist. Wearing a loose or broken retainer can do more harm than good.
DO NOT clean with mouthwash or alcohol
These chemicals can dry out or weaken plastic retainers, especially clear ones.
Wearing your retainers after braces is non-negotiable to prevent tooth relapse and further tooth movement.
Completing your braces or clear aligners journey is a huge achievement but it is certainly not the end of your orthodontic story. It is simply the start of a new phase: Maintaining the smile you worked so hard for.
Retainers may seem like a chore at first, but they are actually your best insurance policy against relapse, discomfort, and the need for future orthodontic treatment. The more consistently you wear and care for them, the longer your smile stays stable without surprises.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long or what kind of retainer you need. But one thing is clear: Doing nothing causes your teeth to shift. Once that happens, treatment can be more costly and time-consuming than simply keeping up with your retainers.
If your retainers are feeling loose, cracked, yellowing, or just do not feel right, it might be best to reach out to your dentist or orthodontist early.
Your smile does not have to be temporary. You can make it last a lifetime.
