Retention & Aftercare
The final step in your smile journey - and often the most important. Retainers keep your teeth in their perfect new position for years to come.
Protect Your Investment
Retainers ensure your treatment results last a lifetime
Invisible Options
Choose from discreet fixed or removable retainer types
Included in Treatment
Retainers are included in your treatment package at no extra cost
Why Retention Matters
The day your braces come off or you finish your last aligner is a moment to celebrate - but it's not the end of your journey. The retention phase is often as important as the treatment itself.
Teeth want to move back
Your teeth have spent years in their original positions and have a natural tendency to drift back.
Bone and tissue need time
After movement ends, the bone and tissues around your teeth need time to stabilise.
Retainers hold everything in place
While your teeth stabilise, retainers keep them exactly where they should be.
It is vital you wear your retainers as instructed to keep your teeth in their newly straightened position.
24/7
Protection with fixed retainers
Types of Retainers
We offer both fixed and removable retainers. Many patients use a combination of both for maximum protection.
Permanent Protection
Fixed Retainers
A thin wire permanently bonded behind your front teeth. Completely invisible from the outside and doesn't interfere with eating or speaking. Once fitted, you don't need to think about it - your teeth are protected 24/7.
Benefits
- No daily routine required
- Completely invisible
- Works while you sleep
- Can't be lost or forgotten
Considerations
- Requires careful flossing around the wire
- May need occasional repair if wire loosens
Clear Plastic Trays
Removable Retainers
Custom-fitted clear plastic trays, similar to aligners, worn nightly. We recommend wearing them every night — developing a consistent nightly habit is the best approach to keeping your teeth in their perfect new position.
Benefits
- Easy to clean
- Can be removed for special occasions
- No impact on brushing or flossing
- Comfortable and discreet
Considerations
- Must remember to wear nightly
- Need replacing every 1-2 years
Care Instructions
Follow these guidelines to ensure your retainers last and your smile stays perfect.
Wear Every Night
For removable retainers, consistency is key. Make it part of your bedtime routine - teeth can shift surprisingly quickly without retention.
Keep Them Clean
Clean removable retainers daily with a soft toothbrush and cold water. For fixed retainers, use floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean around the wire.
Store Safely
Always put removable retainers in their case when not wearing them. Never wrap them in tissue - they often get thrown away by mistake!
Report Problems Early
If your fixed retainer feels loose or your removable retainer feels tight, contact us straight away. Early intervention prevents bigger issues.
Retention Timeline
First 3-6 Months
Wear removable retainers every night without fail. This is when teeth are most likely to shift.
6-12 Months
Continue nightly wear. Your teeth are stabilising in their new positions.
12+ Months
You may be able to reduce to every other night, but we recommend nightly wear becomes a lifelong habit.
Long Term
Many patients wear retainers indefinitely. It only takes a few seconds each night to protect years of treatment.
Retention FAQs
Your teeth have a natural tendency to shift back towards their original positions - this is called relapse. Retainers hold your teeth in place while the bone and gums stabilise around them. Without retainers, you risk losing the results you've worked hard to achieve.
We recommend wearing removable retainers every night — this should become a lifelong habit. It only takes seconds and protects your investment. Fixed retainers stay in place permanently.
If it's only been a day or two, simply resume wearing your retainer as normal - it may feel tight initially. If it's been longer and your retainer feels very tight or won't fit, contact us. We may need to assess your teeth and potentially make new retainers.
Clean removable retainers daily using a soft toothbrush and cold water. Avoid hot water as it can warp the plastic. You can also use retainer cleaning tablets weekly. For fixed retainers, use floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean around and behind the wire.
Contact us as soon as possible if you notice your fixed retainer feels loose or different. Teeth can shift quickly without retention so we'll want to repair or replace it promptly. In the meantime, wear your removable retainer if you have one.
Yes, we can make replacement retainers if yours are lost, damaged or worn out. We keep your records on file, but it's best to request replacements before your current ones are completely worn to ensure continuity of retention.
Questions About Retention?
Whether you're a current patient or considering treatment, we're here to help with all your retention questions.