Getting a new retainer years after braces

Have you thought about getting a new retainer years after braces?

Read on to find out how to get new retainers.

Dental retainers are a crucial part of post-orthodontic treatment even if it’s been years since you had braces. They help maintain the alignment of your teeth.

If your retainers are from 5+ years ago, or even a couple of years, if they have any weird colors present, it is a sign of mold or bacteria growth and can be a hazard to your health. 

Things to consider:

1. Is there discoloration in your retainer?
   1. Cloudy tray: old
   2. Weird colors like orange, dark green, red: Bacterial growth 
   3. Broken holes or cracks: If it’s broken it is not strong enough to retain your teeth.

2.  Would you like to avoid future orthodontic treatment again?

Retainers are an easy way to maintain your smile especially if your teeth start move. If you wait too long, you may need to go through Invisalign (clear aligner) therapy again.

3.  Is your retainer more than 5 years old?

You should probably replace it.

4.  Do you know where it is? Did you lose it?

We don’t use the old retainers to make new retainers. The good news is that if you are far away from your orthodontic clinic, you don’t have to go all the way back to get new ones.

Here’s how to get a new retainer for teeth: 

1. Book an appointment with Dr. Yang for a dental exam to make sure your teeth are healthy. You definitely DO NOT want to put retainers on teeth with cavities or gum disease; If you did, you’d be allowing the bacteria to be happily trapped inside your teeth and gums.

2. Get a digital scan of your smile in less than 5 minutes. No putty impressions needed. Also, if you ever need a retainer again, we can use this same digital model of your teeth to make another retainer in the future.

3. Receive your custom-fit retainers the next day! 

It’s exciting to get a new retainer years after braces. See you soon!