What To Do If Your Retainer Breaks: 4 Simple Steps

Are you concerned about snapping your retainer? Worse yet, did you recently break or lose your retainer? Read on to learn what to do if your retainer breaks.

After you finish your teeth straightening treatment, you can choose between fixed and removable retainers. Inadequate care and accidents might cause your removable retainer to break or your permanent retainer to come loose from your teeth over time.

The importance of wearing retainers

After you have completed your teeth straightening procedure, you must wear your retainers consistently. It takes time for your mouth to acclimatize to the new positions once your teeth have been properly straightened. After your braces are removed, or your clear aligner therapy is completed, you must be careful not to neglect your retainers. If you have a fixed retainer, you may need to be careful about what you eat to keep it from falling out of your teeth. You may want to get your retainers tightened or altered after some time. If you have a detachable retainer, you can take it out while eating.

Steps to take if you accidentally break your retainer

If you accidentally break your removable retainers or your permanent retainers come loose from your teeth, there are some steps you must take to prevent your teeth from slipping back to their original positions.

1. Call your orthodontist

If you notice that your retainer has been broken or fractured, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible, especially if you have recently completed your teeth straightening procedure. If you do not wear your retainer for the recommended amount of time, your teeth may begin to shift. If they move too far from their new positions, you may require more teeth straightening using braces or clear aligners to correct the modifications.

2. Examine your removable retainer

You will be unable to wear the retainer if it is deeply cracked or split in half, and you will have to wait until your replacement retainer is made.

3. Ask a family member to examine your permanent retainer

If you suspect your permanent retainer has become loose, ask a family member to inspect it. To prevent movement, permanent retainers are attached to the backs of your teeth. The bond may weaken or fail if you eat a hard piece of food or candy. If a family member judges that the retainer is loose, you will need to eat soft foods until you can see your orthodontist. The retainer will then be rebonded to the backs of your teeth. If your retainer has caused any wounds or sore patches in your mouth, rinse it with warm salt water. An antibacterial mouthwash can also help relieve discomfort and heal the affected region.

4. Consider a removable retainer if your permanent retainer keeps breaking

Permanent retainers are hidden behind your teeth and help keep your teeth in place for years after your teeth have been straightened. If your permanent retainer becomes loose or separates from your teeth, you should consider switching to a removable retainer. With a removable retainer, you can take it out whenever you want, and you normally only need to wear it while sleeping.  

The detachable retainer is simple to maintain. Just remember to keep it in its case when not in use and to clean it frequently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Soaking it in pure white distilled vinegar prevents tartar buildup and can be done frequently to reduce the quantity of brushing required.

Choosing between a permanent and removable retainer

If you're not sure whether you need a permanent or removable retainer, an orthodontist can help you decide. It is best to wear your retainers at night for the rest of your life to limit the possibility of teeth shifting or moving. Except in extremely rare cases, orthodontists do not prescribe permanent retainers for patients due to cleanliness concerns. A removable retainer may also be a preferable option if you are concerned about damaging your permanent retainer.