Orthodontic retainers - How long are they worn? How much do they cost? How do you clean dental retainers?

Once your Invisalign treatment has been completed, you dentist will instruct you as to what type of retention treatment phase will be required. It is common that the treating dentist will initially want the patient's retainers in place twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for two to three months starting immediately after the use of the patient's invisible braces has been completed. In the case of fixed retainers, this will be no problem. If removable retainers are being utilized, they should be removed for eating and during brushing and flossing activities but otherwise should be left in place.

Usually after the first few months of around-the-clock wear there will be a point where the dentist decides that just nighttime use of the retainers (during sleep) will be satisfactory. It is most likely that your dentist will recommend that this retainer regimen should be continued for several years, if not throughout the remainder of the patient's life.

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How much do orthodontic retainers cost?

In most cases you will probably find that the cost of your dental retainers is in addition to the cost of your orthodontic treatment (although the exact pricing may have already been explained to you and added into your treatment cost total when you initially started treatment). The reasoning behind this lies in the fact that with every case there is probably more than one type of retainer that can be utilized (fixed, removable, Essix, Vivera, Hawley). The specific cost associated with your treatment will depend on which of these types of orthodontic retainers is chosen. You should anticipate that the cost of any type of retainer will run from several hundred dollars on up (depending on the region and locality in which you live).

How much does it cost to replace lost or damaged dental retainers?

As a separate issue, there will probably be a separate cost associated with replacing lost or damaged dental retainers. In all cases you will probably find the most sympathetic ear (in terms of the price they charge) if you seek replacements from the same dentist that originally provided your Invisalign treatment. You will probably find that the cost for a replacement retainer will be on the order of at least one hundred, on up.

Make sure you replace a lost retainer as soon as possible.

If you do find that you have lost your dental retainers don't put off calling your dentist's office. You will want to replace them as soon as is possible and it may take a little time for the new ones to be made. Remember that you've invested a lot of time and effort in achieving your new smile and these results must be protected. It is possible that if you don't wear your retainers as instructed that the alignment of your teeth could relapse, even much quicker than you might expect.

For kids, a really common place where retainers are lost is the lunchroom, right off your food tray. Retainers are often wrapped in a napkin, forgotten about and then inadvertently lost when the tray is emptied or returned. Another problem scenario lies with the family dog. Retainers often have a smell to them that evidently dogs can't resist, so keep your retainers up high and out of their reach.

The Invisalign Vivera orthodontic retainer program.

Per you and your dentist's decision, you might choose to participate in Align Technology, Inc.'s Vivera dental retainer program. This is a subscription service provided (for a fee) by Invisalign for you and your dentist where a new set of clear plastic Essix type dental retainers is delivered to you every three months. The primary thought associated with this program is that over time retainers can become damaged or fatigued and therefore can become ineffective at maintaining the alignment of your teeth. A side bonus of this program is that you will, at some point, have an old set of retainers that you can wear if needed if you have damaged or lost your current set.

How do you clean dental retainers?

The same plaque and tartar that tends to accumulate on your natural teeth will accumulate on your removable retainers too. Add in the fact that your retainers are intended to be worn on a long-term basis and you'll understand why it will be necessary for you to be diligent with your cleaning habits so your retainers remain clean looking and odor free.

For Essix-type retainers (clear plastic retainers), the same cleaning techniques that we describe for use with Invisalign aligners should be suitable for your retainers too. In the case of Hawley retainers (that have metal components) you should ask your dentist for their specific recommendation.