Removable Retainers – Cumming, GA

Keeping Teeth Straight the Flexible Way

An up-close image of a young female wearing a removable retainer in Cumming, GA

At Serenity Orthodontics, we want your teeth to remain in their proper place when finished with orthodontic treatment. How is this accomplished? With the help of a retainer, you can rest easy knowing all that time and money spent straighten your smile won’t go to waste. But did you know there are two types of retainers: fixed and removable. If you’re leaning toward a more flexible solution that not only continues to benefit your smile but gives you greater freedom, contact our office to find out how you can be fitted with a removable retainer in Cumming, GA.

How to Use a Removable Retainer

An image of two retainers laying on a surface, complete with pink plastic coloring

Removable retainers fit over your teeth and help to keep them from shifting back into their original position. Made up of clear, transparent plastic, a metal wire surrounds the plastic and fits snugly over your teeth. The plastic material is custom-made based on impressions taken of your teeth.

In most situations, you will receive your retainer the same day you have your braces removed. This is to prevent as much teeth movement as possible.

The Pros and Cons of a Removable Retainer

A person holding a retainer in their hand in preparation for inserting it into their mouth

What makes a removable retainer so great is that it not only allows you to brush and floss like normal, but it can be customized to better align with your personality! Oftentimes, children and teens will opt for a bright or sparkling color instead of a clear plastic. Adults, however, may choose to keep with the more discreet look to avoid the potential of anyone noticing your retainer.

Although there are several positive factors to having a removable retainer, there are also a few cons, some of which include:

They are easily disposed of, so if you’re not careful when out to eat with friends, you could accidentally throw them away if not protected in your case.
They must be cleaned daily to avoid bacteria or calcium build up on your retainer.
You must be responsible enough to remember to wear it according to our instructions, which will be provided to you the day you receive your retainer.
They need to be replaced over time. This timeframe can vary between individuals, especially if you are prone to teeth grinding, which can cause the plastic to wear down more quickly.

Day-to-Day Care

Two retainers laying inside a protective case to keep them safe from accidental damage

When beginning this phase of treatment, you will need to follow a few aftercare tips to ensure your retainer remains intact and in place.

You’ll need to wear your retainer for the designated amount of time each day. Your orthodontist in Cumming will explain how long you will need to wear it to avoid any potential movement of your teeth.
If your mouth begins to feel sore, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. It is possible that your speech may be slightly altered in the first few days of wear; however, this will dissipate with time. If you develop a sore area on your gum, let us know and we can adjust your retainer to fit more comfortably.
Using soap and lukewarm water, make sure to brush your retainer daily. You can opt to purchase a retainer cleaner if you prefer. You never want to use hot water or attempt to boil the retainer to sterilize it, as this will warp the plastic and ruin the retainer.
When your retainer is not in your mouth or soaking, keep it in a protective case. This will prevent you from accidentally throwing it away, dropping and damaging it, or bending it in any way.