Retainers in Simi Valley, CA

Your beautiful new smile is meant to last a lifetime.

Wearing your retainer after braces or Invisalign® treatment is how you ensure that!

Once your new smile is revealed, you’ll start wearing your custom retainer to lock in your results.

What does a retainer do?

Your retainer plays the key role of holding your teeth in their new positions to prevent them from ‘relapsing’.

When your braces are removed, or you take your Invisalign out for the last time, your teeth are susceptible to ‘orthodontic relapse’ (reverting back to their original, pre-treatment positions.)

Relapse is a natural, biological process that occurs with bone and gum tissue.

In order to prevent this, your new smile needs the support of your retainer!

How long will I wear a retainer after braces or Invisalign?

After active treatment, it's best to wear your retainer:

  • Start wearing your retainer full-time, day and night, for 3 months
  • Then, you can switch to wearing your retainer nights only (nighttime for a lifetime!)

Types of Retainers

There are two types of retainers used after braces and Invisalign: removable retainers and fixed retainers.

Removable Retainers

We provide high-quality removable clear retainers, very similar to Invisalign trays.

Clear retainers are custom-designed to fit your teeth snugly, and they come in sets, with one retainer for the top teeth and one for the bottom.

Fixed (Permanent) Retainers

Fixed retainers, or permanent retainers, are bonded (glued) to your teeth.

These retainers include a small metal wire, custom-designed to fit behind the teeth.

If a permanent retainer is recommended for you, it’ll be bonded to the back surface of your bottom teeth, but can also be used behind the top teeth depending on your case.

How do I clean my retainers?

When it comes to cleaning retainers, a little daily care goes a long way.
Here’s how to keep them clean and clear:

  • Clean your retainers daily:

Clean your retainers every day when you brush your teeth.

Use a soft toothbrush (different from your regular toothbrush) and a small amount of mild dish soap to gently brush all surfaces of the retainer, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water before placing them back in your mouth.

  • Rinse your retainers regularly:

Rinse your retainers each time you remove them. This prevents plaque and bacteria from building up while they sit in your case.

  • Soak your retainers for a deep cleaning:

A few times each week, you can give your retainers a deeper clean by soaking them in a retainer cleaning solution such as RetainerBrite®. This helps disinfect and keeps them fresh.

  • If your clear retainers are yellowing:

This is usually caused by natural plaque and mineral buildup.

If that happens, you can soak your retainers in a simple homemade solution made from equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water for about 15–20 minutes.

After soaking, gently brush them with a soft toothbrush and rinse thoroughly before wearing them again.

Retainer Tips: Do’s and Don’ts

Retainer "Do's"

  • Do store your retainers in their case whenever they are not in your mouth.
  • Do clean your retainers daily using a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap.
  • Do rinse your retainers thoroughly before placing them back in your mouth.
  • Do clean your retainer case regularly with soap and cold water.
  • Do soak your retainers in a cleaning solution such as RetainerBrite® several times per week to keep them fresh and disinfected.

Retainer "Don'ts"

  • Don’t expose your retainers to heat. Hot water, dishwashers, or leaving them in a hot car can warp the material and make them ineffective.
  • Don’t leave your retainers where pets can reach them. Pets find retainers irresistible to chew!

How much do retainers cost?

Your first set of retainers is included as part of your orthodontic treatment.

If a retainer is lost or damaged, there will be a replacement fee. If this happens, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can provide a replacement and help prevent any unwanted shifting.

Smile Confidently for Life with Retainers in Simi Valley, CA

Whether you’re ready to start orthodontic treatment or simply looking to speak with an orthodontist near you, we welcome you to Soul Orthodontics.

Schedule your complimentary consultation at our Simi Valley orthodontic office, and we’ll guide you through the rest.