Clear Retainers: What Dentists and Orthodontists Want You To Know

Throughout orthodontic treatment, invisible aligners or braces slowly and gently straighten your teeth. However, your teeth will naturally want to return to their natural position. Dr. Randy Kunik, DDS, of Kunik Orthodontics, says, “It is designed to keep your teeth in their proper positions after orthodontic treatment, like braces or aligners. Without a retainer, your teeth can shift back to their original spots over time, undoing all the progress you have made.”

Clear retainers are crucial for maintaining the results of your orthodontic work. After braces or aligners, your teeth need time to stabilize in their new positions. A retainer ensures they stay aligned, preventing unwanted movement. It is a simple, effective way to protect the investment you have made in your smile.

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve used a clear retainer after completing my invisible braces and the gap in my front teeth starts to reopen at the end of the day. The clear retainer I use at night closes the gap again at night. Dr. Pinto says, “Your teeth love to move. After spending months (or years) in braces or aligners, your teeth will naturally want to shift back to their old positions—it’s just how biology works.”

Clear retainers are not just for braces patients

While the main use of clear retainers is after a braces treatment, Dr. Pinto recommends them even for patients with naturally straight teeth: “Ever notice how everyone’s grandparents have crowded and overlapping teeth, especially on the bottom? Teeth are constantly moving throughout your entire life and are one of the telltale signs of age. If you love your smile, I recommend you get a retainer to keep it that way.”

Retainers aren’t just for people who have done braces or Invisalign. They’re for anyone who wants to preserve their beautiful youthful smile for life.

Like invisible braces, clear retainers are becoming a popular choice due to their discreet nature. However, Dr. Kunik says there are still benefits of traditional metal retainers: “Traditional metal retainers, like Hawley retainers, are more durable and allow for minor adjustments over time. They also let your upper and lower teeth touch naturally, which some prefer. However, (metal retainers) are more noticeable and can take longer to get used to wearing.”

Despite these benefits, Dr. Kunik still prefers clear retainers because they are discreet and more comfortable: “They are custom-molded to fit your teeth perfectly, which makes them comfortable to wear.”

There are a few drawbacks to clear retainers: “They can stain or discolor over time and are not as durable as traditional metal retainers, meaning they might need to be replaced more frequently. Clear retainers are slightly more expensive than metal ones, but the difference is not always significant,” explains Dr. Kunik.

Dr. Pinto also recommends clear retainers over metal: “I recommend clear 100% of the time, especially because at first, you’ll need to wear your retainer all day until your teeth settle into their new positions. Unless you want to go to that work meeting or cocktail party looking like an eighth grader with a mouth full of metal, go for the clear.”

I recommend clear 100% of the time

Beauty

Dental Aligners vs. Braces: What‘s the Difference?

In decades past, fixing your teeth sometimes involved multiple forms of orthodontics (a retainer, braces, a palate expander and head gear — sometimes all at the same time!). Aside from being very expensive, it also took quite a bit of time, and could be quite painful. However, modern orthodontia makes it far easier to obtain […]

Although it is possible to eat and drink while using your clear retainer, dentists and orthodontists do not recommend it. Dr. Kunik explains, “You should avoid eating or drinking anything other than water while wearing clear retainers. Food and sugary drinks can get trapped under the retainer, increasing the risk of cavities and staining. Remove your retainer before eating, and clean it before putting it back in.”

Dr. Pinto even warns against drinking warm liquids, including water. “In the case of hot drinks, it can warp and ruin them.”

Cleaning your retainers is just as important as cleaning your teeth and needs to happen daily. “Otherwise, bacteria, plaque, and stains build up, and next thing you know, your ‘clear’ retainers look anything but clear,” explains Dr. Pinto. 

Dr. Pinto’s tips for keeping clear retainers clean

• Never brush them with toothpaste: “This creates micro-scratches where bacteria love to hide, turning your beautiful retainer into a smelly dull discolored mess.”
• Rinse: “Always rinse them with fresh cold water when you remove them. Leaving bacteria harboring saliva or debris in your trays will turn them into something you don’t want to put in your mouth a lot faster than you think.”
• Avoid hot water:  “It can warp the plastic and ruin your retainer.”
• Soak in a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide solution: “You don’t need any fancy products to keep your trays looking great. Every morning, I rinse my retainers, place them in their case and pour in some water and a little hydrogen peroxide and let them soak during the day. At night, I rinse the case and trays in the sink before putting the retainers on. It’s been over a year and they still look great.”

Using an ultrasonic cleaner for clear retainers

Dr. Pinto says if you want super clean retainers, using a small ultrasonic cleaner once a week will do the trick: “It uses vibrations to clean out even the tiniest of scratches leaving your trays looking spotless. I bought one online that also had a built-in UV disinfecting light along with a 140pk of retainer cleaning tabs and spent less than $30. It’s worth it.”

If those tips don’t get your retainers clean, it is likely time to order a new one: “No matter how well you care for them, clear retainers don’t last forever. If yours are looking cloudy and gross, it might be time for a replacement,” explains Dr. Pinto.

Beauty

How Long Does Invisalign Take? Experts Compare Its Timeline to Braces

Growing up, the entire experience of getting braces felt as though it lasted forever. But usually— from start to finish — it usually doesn’t take much longer than a year. Even clear braces or aligners, from brands like Invisalign generally don’t take very long. But how long does Invisalign take to work its magic? And […]

Many brands recommend replacing your clear retainers every six months. However, the dental experts we spoke to say that clear retainers can last up to five years with proper care. But Dr. Pinto warns, “If you grind your teeth, chew on them, or aren’t gentle with cleaning, they’ll wear out faster. If they start cracking, feeling loose, or looking too yellow, it’s time for a new set.”

I used Smile Direct Club retainers (now out of business) and they were $99 per set. While they may not be as strong as Invisalign’s Vivera, they worked great and lasted over 1 year per set before I needed to replace them.

Beauty

How Long Does Invisalign Take? Experts Compare Its Timeline to Braces

Growing up, the entire experience of getting braces felt as though it lasted forever. But usually— from start to finish — it usually doesn’t take much longer than a year. Even clear braces or aligners, from brands like Invisalign generally don’t take very long. But how long does Invisalign take to work its magic? And […]

Because there are many clear retainer brands online, there are varying degrees of quality for each brand. If you decide to purchase online, do your research and also make sure that the clear retainer is dentist, doctor or orthodontist-approved. Dr. Iven Gonzalez of Sun City Dental says:

“I highly advise avoiding cheap retainers that you can buy online or those DIY retainer kits because again, braces are actual treatments for teeth and facial posture. Retainers should be done at the clinic with proper measurements given by your dentist.”

There are also generic retainers on Amazon that are not customized to your teeth. Dr. Kunik doesn’t recommend those and says that, “Ill-fitting retainers can cause discomfort and might not do a good job of keeping your teeth aligned. For something as important as your smile, it is always best to stick with a dentist or orthodontist-approved retainer to ensure the fit and quality are up to standard.”

If you’re looking to purchase retainers online, expect to pay $100-$300 per set. However, Invisalign’s Vivera line of retainers tend to cost more than other lead retainer brands because they use stronger materials. Vivera also prices its retainers in sets of four, which raises the price. Dr. Pinto says that”In my practice, we use Invisalign’s Vivera retainers. I love that they give you four sets, so you have backups for years.”

Orthodontists and brands online may offer retainers with your clear braces treatment. According to Dr. Kunik, “Some orthodontists include retainers in the overall cost of treatment, while others charge separately. It is worth asking your provider about pricing upfront.” Here’s what Invisalign and its leading competitors charge for clear retainers:

Clear retainer prices by brand

Like health insurance plans, orthodontic coverage will vary depending on your policy. Some plans cover retainers in the total costs of clear braces. Dr. Kunik says, “Whether or not clear retainers are covered by dental insurance depends on your plan. Some policies include them as part of orthodontic treatment, while others might not.”

However, Dr. Pinto recommends speaking to your dentist to comb through the fine print of your plan. “There are all kinds of stipulations and every plan is different, so it’s best to ask your dentist,” she said. “They can verify your benefits and let you know if you have coverage.”

Because of the time and money investment in braces (both wire and clear treatments), getting a good quality retainer is crucial to maintaining your new and improved smile. While I had decent results doing a home impression kit, I must admit that my first retainers did not fit. Dr. Pinto warns about this: “most DIY kits use cheap putty impressions, which are prone to error. This can lead to retainers that don’t fit properly or work as intended.”

In my practice, I use a digital scanner to take precise, 3D impressions of my patients’ teeth. This ensures a retainer that fits perfectly and works effectively to maintain your smile.

You can great results through online retainer brands, but your results may vary. Dr. Pinto says, “online or Amazon options can work but the fit is hit or miss. If you want to make sure your retainer is actually doing what it’s supposed to, I recommend getting it through a dentist who can take precise digital impressions for the best fit and longevity.

If you’ve spent time and money on orthodontic treatment, don’t let your results slip away—your retainer is what keeps that perfect smile locked in place!