First 3 Months
- Wear your retainer day and night. Remove only to eat and brush your teeth.
From 3–6 Months
- After 3 months, wear your retainer only at night.
- Every 6 months, you should try on a new duplicate retainer. If the new retainer feels tight, your current retainer may have “stretched.”
- Although retainers can last up to 2 years, some people unknowingly “stretch” their retainer out sooner — especially the first retainer, since it must be worn day and night for the first 3 months.
- If the new retainer feels tight, then your current set has stretched and it is time to switch into the next set.
Standard Retainer
- If you only have one set of retainers, there is no way to determine if your retainers have stretched and your teeth have started shifting — unless you notice they have shifted.
- At this point, your smile has already changed and it is too late to make corrections.
- An impression for a new retainer will stop further shifting.
- This is why we recommend choosing Vivera* retainers!
- Retainers can become stretched from grinding and clenching. 85% of the population grinds or clenches their teeth — most of whom are unaware they do it!
- Not using your retainer on a consistent, daily basis can also prematurely stretch your retainer — which can lead to SHIFTING.
- Bring your retainer to EVERY dental visit! We will professionally clean them and adjust them after any restorative treatment.
Cleaning your retainers
- Rinse your retainer with water every night.
- Once a week, you can clean with:
- Mild dish soap
- Pro Guard Retainer Cleaner
- Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
When do you need more retainers?
- When you start using your last set of Vivera! Always keep a backup set — let us know when you are down to your last one.
- We may be able to order new Vivera without an additional impression, provided you have had no major dental work and have followed all wear instructions.
- When you are ready to upgrade from your single set to the preferred Vivera* retainers!
