Retainer – what is it and how long do you need to wear it?

What is a retention apparatus?

Retention apparatus is an orthodontic device used after the end of treatment with a fixed or movable apparatus, the purpose of which is to keep the teeth in a new, correct position. Its task is to prevent the teeth from receding to their original positions, which can occur due to the action of natural forces in the mouth, such as the pressure of the tongue or the tension of the periodontal tissues.

When to use a retention device?

As already mentioned, the retention apparatus is used after the end of orthodontic treatment in order to consolidate the results obtained and prevent recurrence of the malocclusion. Here are the most common situations in which it is indispensable:

1) After removal of the permanent apparatus — The teeth tend to return to their original position; therefore, the retention apparatus stabilizes them in the new position.

2) After removable appliance treatment — Even if the treatment did not require a fixed appliance, the teeth can still move, so retention is needed.

3) With large tooth displacements — The greater the changes made during treatment, the greater the risk of recurrence and the need for longer use of the retention apparatus.

4) In case of correction of gaps between teeth (e.g., diastema) — The spaces between the teeth can easily reappear, so retention is required.

5) After treatment of an open or deep bite — These are particularly unstable defects, so their fixation requires long-term retention.

6) For young patients during the growth period — In children and adolescents, teeth and jaws continue to develop, which may affect the stability of treatment effects.

7) After orthodontic treatment ended prematurely — If the patient finishes treatment early for some reason, a retainer can help maintain the results that have been achieved so far.

In each of these situations, the retention apparatus acts as a “fixer” of the effects, and its wearing is crucial for the long-term success of orthodontic treatment.

Will the retention apparatus straighten the teeth?

No, the retention apparatus is not used to straighten teeth. Its task is to keep the teeth in the position they obtained after orthodontic treatment - that is, to prevent them from moving back to their previous, incorrect position. If we have already used braces and after the treatment the teeth have moved again, then in order to straighten them again, it is necessary to use a medical orthodontic appliance — fixed or movable — and not the retention apparatus itself.

Fixed or movable retention apparatus?

Retention devices can be movable (e.g., transparent caps or plates) or fixed (e.g., thin wire glued from the inside of the teeth).

Permanent Retention Apparatus

Advantages:

• Continuous operation — works 24/7, regardless of the patient.
• No risk of forgetting — no need to put it on or take it off.
• Invisible - fixed on the side of the tongue, so it is not visible on a daily basis.

Disadvantages:

• Harder hygiene — makes it difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and floss.
• Possibility of peeling off - it can peel off, which requires a quick visit to the orthodontist.
• It does not cover all teeth - it usually protects only the front teeth.
• Movable Retention Apparatus

Advantages:

• Easy hygiene — it can be removed to brush your teeth and the appliance itself.
• Capable of covering the entire dental arch — protects more teeth than a permanent retainer.
• Less interference in the oral cavity — no permanent fixation.

Disadvantages:

• It requires regularity - the patient must remember to wear it regularly.
• Risk of loss or damage — especially in children and adolescents.
• Visibility — Transparent retainers are less visible, but still noticeable when talking or laughing.

Retention apparatus after permanent braces

Retention apparatus after permanent braces is an essential component of orthodontic treatment. After removing the permanent apparatus, the teeth are still “prone” to shifting, since the tissues surrounding them (ligaments, bone) need time to stabilize. Without retention, the teeth can return to their original, incorrect alignment — these are the so-called recurrences of malocclusion. Orthodontists most often recommend a fixed, movable, or a combination of these — for example, a permanent retainer for the lower teeth and a transparent retention cap for the upper teeth.

How long is the retention device worn?

The duration of wearing a retainer depends on many factors, such as the patient's age, the type of malocclusion, the extent of treatment, and the body's response to orthodontic treatment. It is generally accepted that the first 6—12 months of retention are the most intense, and therefore, the apparatus (especially mobile) should be worn daily. After a year, it is most common to switch to wearing the camera only at night for the following months.

How many hours a day do you wear a retention device?

The duration of wearing a retention device depends on its type and stage of retention. A removable retention device (e.g., Essix cap, Hawley plate) for the first 6-12 months) should be worn for up to 20 hours a day — practically around the clock, removing only for food, drinking, and hygiene. After the teeth have stabilized (usually after a year), it can only be worn overnight, which is about 8-10 hours a day. In turn, the permanent retention apparatus operates 24 hours a day. It does not require the involvement of the patient, but it requires regular inspection and thorough hygiene.

How to clean the movable retention apparatus?

Cleaning a removable retention device (such as a clear Essix cap or Hawley plate) is crucial to maintaining oral hygiene and preventing the buildup of bacteria, sediment, and bad odor.

Daily cleaning:

1) After each removal of the camera, rinse it with lukewarm water (never hot - it can deform the plastic).

2) Use a soft brush (separate, not a toothbrush) and mild soap or a small amount of paste without abrasive particles.

3) Gently scrub the apparatus from all sides, paying attention to the depressions and surfaces adjacent to the teeth.

4) Rinse the camera thoroughly under running water.

1-2 times a week:

1) Immerse the device for 10-15 minutes in a special preparation for cleaning dentures (e.g., Corega, Protefix, Dentipur tablets), a solution of water with vinegar (1:1 ratio), or in a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon of soda per glass of water).

2) After bathing, rinse the apparatus very thoroughly.

When cleaning the mobile retention apparatus, avoid hot water, as it can permanently deform the apparatus, as well as strong detergents, alcohol, and bleach - they can damage the plastic and be harmful. It is also not recommended to scrub with a hard brush or paste with particles, as it can cause microscratches in which plaque is deposited.

How to clean the permanent retention apparatus?

Cleaning the permanent retention apparatus requires special attention to oral hygiene, as hard-to-reach places can favor the accumulation of plaque and tartar.

1) Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day — use a brush with a small head and soft bristles. Electric or sonic toothbrushes can be particularly effective.

2) Thoroughly clean the area around the wire — direct the bristles of the brush at an angle to reach the space around the camera (especially from the tongue side).

3) Use dental floss with a threader — it allows you to thread under the wire and clean the interdental spaces. An alternative is special orthodontic threads (for example, Super Floss) with a rigid end.

4) Dental irrigator (water flosser) — a powerful jet of water helps flush food debris and bacteria from hard-to-reach places.

What if the retention device is not worn?

Retention apparatus is a key stage of orthodontic treatment, and not just an “addition”. Not wearing it as prescribed by the orthodontist increases the risk of recurrence of the defect, so it is worth taking the retention as seriously as the permanent appliance treatment itself. If you do not wear a retention device (or neglect to wear it), this can lead to a recurrence of the malocclusion, that is, the displacement of the teeth back to their original position.

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