Protect the Results of Your Orthodontic Treatment
Teeth naturally tend to shift after orthodontic treatment. A properly fitted retainer helps maintain their new positions and protects the time and effort invested in your smile. Dr. Brenda E. Howard provides customized removable and fixed retainers for adults in Lanham, Maryland.
Call 301-552-2662 if you have completed orthodontic treatment or need help with a lost, damaged or poorly fitting retainer.
Why Retainers Are Important
The bone and tissues surrounding your teeth need time to adjust after orthodontic movement. Without consistent retainer wear, teeth can gradually shift toward their previous positions. This process is known as orthodontic relapse.
Wearing your retainer as directed can help:
- Maintain the alignment achieved through orthodontic treatment
- Reduce unwanted crowding, spacing or tooth movement
- Protect the appearance and function of your smile
- Limit the possibility of needing additional orthodontic treatment
- Support long-term stability as your bite and surrounding tissues adjust
Types of Retainers
Dr. Brenda E. Howard will recommend a retainer based on your alignment, bite, treatment history and ability to care for the appliance.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers are custom-made to fit over your teeth. Depending on the design, they may be made from clear material or include an acrylic base and wire.
These retainers can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing. They must be worn according to the schedule provided by our dentist to prevent unwanted tooth movement.
Fixed Retainers
A fixed retainer uses a thin wire bonded behind selected teeth. Because it remains in place, it provides continuous support without requiring you to remember to insert an appliance.
Fixed retainers are discreet, but they require careful brushing and flossing around the wire. Regular dental visits allow us to examine the bonding material and surrounding teeth.
What to Expect When Receiving a Retainer
Our team begins by evaluating your current tooth positions, bite and previous orthodontic treatment. Precise impressions or digital records are then used to create a retainer that fits your smile.
At the delivery appointment, we will check the fit and explain:
- How often and how long to wear your retainer
- How to insert and remove it safely
- How to clean and store it
- What changes in fit or comfort should be reported
- When your retainer should be checked or replaced
Your recommended wear schedule may change over time. Follow Dr. Brenda E. Howard’s instructions rather than reducing wear because the retainer still appears to fit.
Experienced Adult Orthodontic Care
Dr. Brenda E. Howard began providing clear aligner treatment during the early years of Invisalign® and has continued following advances in adult orthodontic care. Her experience helps her plan both active treatment and the retention needed to maintain the result.
If your teeth have already shifted, a new retainer may not be enough to correct their positions. Dr. Brenda E. Howard can evaluate whether a replacement appliance, an adjustment or additional clear aligner treatment would be appropriate.
How to Care for a Removable Retainer
Proper care helps protect the fit, cleanliness and condition of your appliance.
- Clean your retainer according to the instructions provided by our team.
- Use cool or lukewarm water because excessive heat can distort some materials.
- Keep the retainer in its protective case when it is not in your mouth.
- Keep it away from pets, napkins, pockets and other places where it could be damaged or discarded.
- Do not use abrasive toothpaste or harsh chemicals unless directed.
- Bring your retainer to dental appointments so we can check its condition and fit.
When Should a Retainer Be Replaced?
Contact Blissful Dental if your retainer:
- Is lost, cracked, warped or broken
- Feels unusually tight or loose
- No longer fits over your teeth completely
- Causes persistent discomfort or irritation
- Has a bonded wire that feels loose or detached
- Shows significant wear, buildup or damage
Do not force a removable retainer onto teeth if it no longer fits. Prompt evaluation can determine whether a replacement retainer is appropriate or whether tooth movement has occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retainers
How long will I need to wear a retainer?
Retention is usually a long-term part of maintaining orthodontic results. Your daily wear schedule may change over time, but you should continue using the appliance according to Dr. Brenda E. Howard’s instructions.
Can my teeth move if I stop wearing my retainer?
Yes. Teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment, even years later. Consistent retainer wear helps reduce this movement and preserve your alignment.
What should I do if I lose or break my retainer?
Call our office promptly. The longer you go without wearing a retainer, the more opportunity your teeth have to shift. We can evaluate your alignment and arrange a replacement when appropriate.
Why does my retainer suddenly feel tight?
A tight retainer may indicate that your teeth have shifted or that the appliance has changed shape. Do not force it into place. Contact us so Dr. Brenda E. Howard can evaluate the fit.
Can I use an old retainer after my teeth have shifted?
An old retainer should not be forced over teeth that have moved. Depending on the amount of movement, you may need a new retainer or additional orthodontic treatment.
How should I clean my retainer?
Cleaning instructions depend on the retainer material. Our team will show you how to clean your appliance without scratching, warping or damaging it.
Do fixed retainers require special care?
Yes. Plaque and food can collect around a bonded wire. Careful brushing, appropriate flossing tools and regular professional cleanings help protect the teeth and gums around it.
Schedule a Retainer Evaluation in Lanham, Maryland
Protect your orthodontic results with a retainer fitted and monitored by an experienced dentist. Call 301-552-2662 or contact Blissful Dental to schedule an appointment for a new or replacement retainer in Lanham, Maryland.