Congratulations, you did it! Months of clear aligner treatment, weekly scans, attachments and refinements… and now you’ve reached the end of active treatment.
Finishing your aligners is a big milestone, but your orthodontic journey doesn’t quite end there. What you do next plays an important role in maintaining the position of your teeth.
From wearing your retainers to keeping them clean, here’s what you need to know about looking after your smile after clear aligner treatment.
1. Wear Your Retainer Exactly as Instructed
If there’s one habit to prioritise after treatment, it’s wearing your retainers as instructed.
After treatment, your teeth need time to settle into their new position. A retainer holds them in place while the surrounding bone and tissues stabilise.
What surprises a lot of patients is that teeth can still move, even years after treatment, if retainers aren’t worn consistently.
In fact, one of the most common reasons we see patients return for a second round of orthodontic treatment is because retainer wear slipped over time.
As much as we love seeing you in the clinic, we’d much rather help you protect the result you’ve already achieved.
Immediately after treatment
Most patients will be advised to wear their retainers every single night.
Your Oral Health Therapist will provide personalised instructions as advised by your orthodontist.
Skipping nights can seem harmless, but small movements add up quickly. If you do miss a night, it’s important to get back into your usual retainer routine as soon as you can.
You’ve invested months into your smile. Let’s work to protect it.
Want to know more about the role retainers play in looking after your smile? Read our guide on why retainers are so important after clear aligner treatment.
2. Understand Your Retainer Options
At Urban Smile, we’ll guide you through the retainer option best suited to your teeth and lifestyle. All patients will receive custom removable retainers as part of their treatment. For some patients, a bonded retainer can be an additional
Clear removable retainers
These are similar to aligners:
- Discreet
- Comfortable
- Easy to remove and clean
They’re a popular option for patients who loved the flexibility of aligners and are included in all Urban Smile aligner treatments.
Fixed bonded retainers
A bonded retainer is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. The benefits of a fixed or bonded retainer are:
- Invisible from the front
- Always working
- No need to remember to insert
Many patients wear a combination of fixed and removable retainers to support long-term stability.
Bonded (fixed) retainers sit behind your teeth, so they’re discreet but can be a little trickier to clean. It’s important to take extra care when brushing and flossing around them, as plaque and food can easily build up if those areas are missed.
Retainers are what keep your new smile looking just as good in the years ahead.
3. Collect and Use Your Pola Night Whitening
When you collect your retainer, you’ll also receive your complimentary Pola Night at-home whitening kit, included in all Urban Smile treatments (available only to patients aged 18+).
This is the perfect time to enhance your newly aligned smile.
Why whiten at the end of treatment?
- Your teeth are now straight and evenly positioned
- Whitening gel distributes more consistently
- It elevates your final result
Follow the instructions provided by your clinician and use the gel as directed for safe, gradual whitening.
Pro tip: Keep your whitening kit stored correctly and use as a top up treatment before weddings, events or milestone moments.
Take-home whitening is available for patients aged 18+. A clinical assessment is required to determine suitability.
4. Keep Your Retainers Clean
Clean retainers help maintain a healthy, fresh smile.
When retainers aren’t cleaned properly, they can build up plaque, bacteria and odour, which can then transfer back onto your teeth and gums. Over time, this can contribute to bad breath, staining and even gum irritation (1).
Keeping your retainers clean also makes them more comfortable to wear. There’s no build-up, no unpleasant taste and no rough feeling against your teeth or gums.
Daily care should include:
- Rinsing with lukewarm or cool water
- Gently brushing with a soft toothbrush
- Avoiding hot water, which can warp the plastic
For a deeper clean, an ultrasonic cleaner like the GO2 Dentagenie Sonic Cleaner, available in all Urban Smile Specialist Aligner Clinics, helps remove buildup and keeps retainers clear.
Avoid using regular toothpaste on clear retainers unless advised, as it can scratch the surface. For more tips on caring for your retainer, check out our comprehensive guide.
Find more tips in our ultimate guide to caring for your retainer.
Don’t Forget: Retainers Need Replacing
Retainers don’t last forever. Much like the tyres on a car, they can wear out over time.
This can result in issues such as:
- Breakage
- Loose fit
- Cracks or discolouration
We generally recommend checking in every 18 months to assess whether your retainer needs replacing. Even if everything feels fine, a review ensures your smile stays stable long term.
If it’s been a while since we’ve seen you, this is your sign to book in for a replacement retainer.
Your Smile, Maintained With Confidence
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your long-term oral health. Wearing your retainer, using your Pola Night whitening and maintaining regular reviews are what keep your results looking as good as the day your aligners finished.
If you’ve recently completed treatment or have questions about retainers, our team is here to help.
Because straightening smiles is only part of what we do. Helping you keep them is just as important!
Consultation required to assess suitability. Our orthodontists will advise if this treatment is right for you.
References
(1) Kasibut, P., Kuvatanasuchati, J., Thaweboon, B., & Sirisoontorn, I. (2022). Oral Microbiome in Orthodontic Acrylic Retainer. Polymers, 14(17), 3583. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173583