How long will I need to wear a retainer?

Most people wear a retainer for at least several months, and many continue long-term — sometimes indefinitely — to help keep teeth stable. Your dentist will give you a wear schedule for your situation, which often reduces from daytime wear to night-time wear over time. Individual recommendations vary and are confirmed after a clinical assessment.

How long do retainers last?

Like any appliance worn in the mouth, a retainer can wear down and may eventually break. We generally recommend replacing a retainer once it has broken, become distorted, or no longer fits properly.

How do I clean my retainer?

Clean your retainer using a soft-bristled toothbrush under cold running tap water. Don't soak or wash it in hot water, and don't put it in the dishwasher — heat can warp or melt it.

What should I do if I lose or break my retainer?

Contact us as soon as you can on (03) 5278 2666. Going without a retainer for a period can allow teeth to begin drifting, so it's best to arrange a check or replacement promptly.

A new or replacement retainer can feel tight or unusual for a short while as you get used to it, and this usually settles. If a retainer causes ongoing pain or rubbing, or doesn't fit properly, contact us so we can check it.

Orthodontics · Norlane & Geelong

Retainers, made to hold your new smile in place.

Once braces or aligners have done their work, retainers help keep your teeth in their corrected position. At our independent Geelong practice we make and fit both fixed and removable retainers, and guide you on wearing and caring for them — so the result you worked for is well looked after.

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Call (03) 5278 2666

Orthodontic retention Fixed & removable retainers After braces & aligners 21 Princes Highway, Norlane est. 1974 Free Orthodontics Consultation Orthodontic retention Fixed & removable retainers After braces & aligners 21 Princes Highway, Norlane est. 1974 Free Orthodontics Consultation

Retainers · Norlane

Orthodontics › Retainers

Braces and aligners create a straighter smile. Retainers help keep it that way.

Once active orthodontic treatment is complete, the focus shifts to maintaining your result. Teeth can drift back toward their original position over time — most noticeably in the first months after braces are removed. A retainer, worn as instructed, helps hold your teeth in their new alignment and protects the time, effort and cost that went into your treatment.

Wearing retainers is most common during the final phase of orthodontic treatment, and is often a long-term routine. For children, getting used to a retainer can take a little patience — but understanding why it matters, and how to keep it clean and safe, makes the habit far easier to keep, with less stress along the way.

Norlane Dental

Est. 1974

available types of retainers

Two types of retainer

Both hold your teeth in their corrected position. Your dentist will recommend the option best suited to your needs after a clinical assessment.

01.

Fixed retainers

Fixed retainers

A thin wire bonded to the back of your upper or lower front teeth, where it stays out of sight. Because it's fixed in place, there's nothing to remember to put in. Cleaning takes a little more care — a floss threader helps you reach between the teeth, much like flossing with braces. The bonded wire holds your newly straightened teeth firmly in their corrected position.

GOOD TO KNOW

Stays in place day and night · needs careful flossing to keep clean.

02.

Removable · worn as instructed

Removable retainers

A wire that runs across the front teeth set into acrylic, with small hooks that locate around the back teeth to hold everything in position. Removable retainers are easier to clean — but they only work when they're worn as instructed. Many patients begin by wearing them for most of the day for the first few months; if teeth stay stable, your dentist may move you to night-time wear.

GOOD TO KNOW

Easy to clean and remove · relies on you wearing it consistently.

Whichever you wear, retention is usually a long-term commitment — often months to years, and sometimes ongoing. Wearing your retainer as instructed helps it do its job, so it's worth choosing the type that fits your routine.

The process

How your retainer is made.

01.

Impression or scan

We take an impression or a digital scan of your newly straightened teeth — the template your retainer is built from.

02.

Custom fabrication

Your retainer is made to fit your teeth, using durable wire and/or acrylic depending on the type you'll be wearing.

03.

Fitting & check

At a follow-up visit we fit your retainer, check it sits comfortably, and make any small adjustments needed.

04.

Wear & review

We explain your wear schedule and review your progress over time. Retainers worn overnight commonly help maintain alignment once full-time wear is complete.

Retainers are usually made by the clinician who carried out your orthodontic treatment, working from the position your teeth have reached.

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Day to day

Wearing & caring for your retainer

A few simple habits keep your retainer working well and lasting longer — and keep your teeth comfortable along the way.

01.

Remember

Wear it as instructed

Your dentist will tell you how long to wear your retainer each day. Early on this may be most of the day; later it's often overnight. Follow the schedule you're given.

02.

You must

Clean it gently

Brush your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush under cold running water. Avoid hot water, boiling and the dishwasher — heat can warp or melt the material.

03.

Always

Store it safely

When it's out of your mouth, keep your retainer in its case. Loose retainers are easily lost, sat on, or chewed by pets.

04.

Maintain

Replace when worn

Like any appliance worn in the mouth, retainers wear over time and can break. If yours is cracked, distorted or no longer fits, see your dentist about a replacement.

Orthodontic outcomes vary between patients. Suitability for any treatment depends on an individual clinical assessment, and your dentist will confirm the right options for you at a consultation. All treatment carries risks as well as benefits, which we will discuss with you before you decide to proceed.

Visit us

Retainers in Norlane, Geelong

Norlane Dental Aesthetics & Implants makes well-fitted retainers from durable, non-invasive materials. Whether you finished your orthodontic treatment with us or somewhere else, you're welcome to talk through retention and replacement options with our team.

For more about retainers in Norlane, call us on (03) 5278 2666 or request your appointment online. You'll find us at 21 Princes Highway, with free on-site parking — near North Shore, a few minutes from North Shore Football Club, Northern Bay College and Waterworld. Send us a few details and our team will get back to you. For something more urgent, calling is the fastest way to reach us.

Find Us

Norlane Dental Aesthetics & Implants

21 Princes Highway Norlane VIC 3214

(03) 5278 2666

Mon – Thu · 8:30am – 6:30pm
Fri · 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat · 8:30am – 4:00pm
Sunday · Closed

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Orthodontics

Complimentary orthodontic consultation

Considering braces, clear aligners, or wondering about retention after treatment? Book a complimentary orthodontic consultation to talk through your options with our team.

Request a consultation

Terms and conditions apply. A complimentary consultation is an opportunity to discuss options — it is not a diagnosis or treatment, and outcomes vary between patients. Contact reception for details.

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