What are orthodontic retainer replacements for?
Retainers are custom-made orthodontic appliances that accompany your teeth, keeping them in position once braces have been removed or shifting them into a better position. In most cases, metal wires or a form of plastic are used to create retainers for teeth.
Do orthodontists replace permanent retainers?
At Kumra Orthodontics, we provide various options for patients who require a retainer following orthodontic treatment. Don’t hesitate to contact our clinics in Stafford, Virginia, and Washington, DC for more information.
What should I do if I lose my retainer?
It is very common for patients to misplace their retainers. This may happen during travel or when trying out a new sleep routine.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your orthodontist at Kumra Orthodontics if you cannot locate your retainer after several attempts. Our professionals can examine your teeth to see if they have moved back to their original positions. Depending on whether we still have your impression, they can either produce a fresh mold of your teeth or order a copy of your existing retainer.
How to Get a New Retainer Replacement for Your Teeth
Step 1
The procedure for replacing retainers differs depending on the type of retainer you wear and the orthodontist completing the procedure. In most cases, though, your orthodontist will require a model of your teeth to create a replacement retainer from scratch.
This can be accomplished by using traditional molding putty or through the use of 3D scans, which are generally more accurate. These models of your teeth will then be transported to a dental laboratory, where your actual retainer will be crafted from metal and plastic.
Step 2
If you require a replacement retainer, you may not necessarily be required to have a fresh model of your teeth created to do so. The data of your teeth will be recorded in the computer system of your orthodontist or dental lab. If your teeth haven’t changed out of place, they’ll be able to fabricate your new retainers without you having to visit them in the office physically.
Alternative Options
Retainer replacement is becoming easier with the availability of online options. Clear plastic retainers and Hawley retainers are both available for purchase online. This procedure often entails obtaining a tooth impression kit online, creating models of your teeth at home, and shipping the models back to the firm that provided them.
Their laboratory will then construct your replacement retainers using the models you provided and mail them back to you for use. Several people prefer this alternative because it does not necessitate them to leave their homes. In contrast, others prefer direct contact with their orthodontist or may find it challenging to produce their imprints at home, among other reasons.
If you have a permanent retainer, you will need to visit the dentist’s office to get it replaced or repaired. Please don’t try to repair your permanent retainer yourself at home!
Are you interested in getting an orthodontic retainer replacement?
Visit Kumra Orthodontics Washington DC or Kumra Orthodontics Stafford, VA, and request an appointment with us!
5 Signs You Need a New Dental Retainer from Your Orthodontist
Your retainer has minor cracks.
Orthodontic retainers are available in several various options. The sort of retainer you have will depend on when you had your braces (or other types of orthodontic treatment). You may have a wire retainer or one made of a substance similar to the material used in Invisalign aligners.
Related: What is the Difference Between Invisaligns and Retainers?
Typically, after a year or more of wearing your retainer, the material begins to degrade. You should consider getting a replacement for your retainer if you discover that there are cracks in your current retainer while looking at it closely.
If not corrected, these fissures will continue to grow. Over time, your retainer will lose its structural strength, and you will have trouble keeping your teeth in their correct alignment. Allowing a retainer to fall out means that you run the risk of losing that beautiful smile that you worked so hard to achieve and maintain.
Your Retainer is Loose.
If your retainer begins to feel loose, it is clear that it is time to replace it. This does not necessarily imply that you have a problem with your teeth. Over time, retainers become less effective and get wider. This is why they might become uncomfortably loose over time, even if you have been diligent about wearing them. The problem is that you are no longer reaping the benefits of wearing the retainer, which is a concern.
A retainer that is too loose will not hold your teeth in place. Obtaining a replacement retainer as soon as possible is highly recommended to avoid reaching the point when it is no longer functional. Your teeth can begin to shift (slowly) back to their original position if your retainer is not in optimal working order.
Maintaining awareness of your retainer and replacing it before it loses its effectiveness is critical to maintaining a beautiful smile for the rest of your life.
Your Retainer is Warped.
While modern retainers are great, those benefits come at a high risk of breaking or becoming distorted. Keep in mind that a retainer that does not fit properly will not function properly. A typical scenario is a retainer that has become distorted as a result of being placed in the dishwasher or as a result of using extremely hot water to clean it. This is a case in which you would want to contact us right away.
If you have gone a long time without wearing a retainer, you may experience discomfort the first time you put the new one in after replacing it. In this case, there is no problem with the retainer itself. It implies that you will have to wear your retainer more frequently.
Too Much Calcium Has Built Up in the Retainer
Even if you are meticulous about maintaining your retainer, calcium can accumulate on the surface of your retainer over time. One problem is that calcium buildup might make it hard to remember to wear your retainer as often as you should. If you or your child has stopped wearing their retainer as a result of a horrible calcium buildup, it is time to acquire a new one.
Related: Why Your Retainers Smell and How to Deep Clean Them
You Lost Your Retainer.
It is important to remember that you will need to wear your retainer for a long time to keep your attractive smile. Moves, career transfers, new relationships, and a slew of other events provide several opportunities for you to lose your retainer throughout your career.
Do not wait too long to replace a lost retainer if you’ve lost it. A new impression of your retainer needs to be made in person by our orthodontist. A new retainer gently presses your teeth back into place if you’ve been without one for a while. It is also recommended that you find a convenient location to store your retainer so that you can easily put them back in before going to bed.
How much do new retainer replacements usually cost?
Depending on the type of retainer you choose and where you purchase it, the cost of new retainers will vary significantly. Your orthodontics provider’s location and the dental service you need are two factors determining the replacement cost.
Consult with your orthodontist, dentist, or insurance provider to determine whether dental insurance will cover the treatment and, if so, how much of the cost will be covered by insurance.
Where can I buy new retainers?
To keep the lovely smile you have gained through orthodontic treatment, you must continue to wear your retainer. Although it may come as a surprise to some patients, your retainer is crucial.
If your retainer is broken or misplaced, we strongly advise that you do not throw it away. Order your new retainer from Kumra Orthodontics today! The procedure is straightforward, convenient, and reasonably priced.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Retainer Replacements
What are the types of retainers?
Retainers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. You have an Essix retainer covering both the top and bottom teeth and can be taken out for eating and drinking when necessary.
Hawley retainers are orthodontic retainers that provide improved comfort over other types. Usually, they consist of a hard plastic or acrylic plate attached to the roof of the mouth with a thin metal wire. The wire is positioned towards the front of your teeth to provide improved comfort and support.
Permanent retainers, which are cemented to the backs of the teeth on both the top and bottom surfaces, are also available.
Read More: Types of Retainers You Should Know About
What type of retainer should I get?
Your orthodontist will choose which type of retainer is most appropriate for you based on your specific needs. Although this appears to be a straightforward decision, there are advantages and disadvantages to both options. For example, a permanent retainer is designed to be set and forget, but it imposes restrictions on a diet.
Consequently, in the majority of situations, we avoid using permanent retainers and instead use detachable retainers. However, once again, all of this will be dependent on the diagnosis made by your orthodontist.
How much do retainers cost to replace?
In general, a retainer will cost you roughly $250.
How often should you replace a retainer?
If you are only wearing it at night, you will most likely have the retainer for a significantly more extended period than you would otherwise. Generally speaking, we recommend that you change your retainer every two to three years. On the other hand, some of our patients have had their retainers for as long as 20 years. So, the frequency is entirely up to you, but it’s typically anything between 2 and 5 years.
How often do you need to get new retainers?
As long as the structure of the tooth isn’t compromised, it’s not a big deal if it’s discolored. You can get new retainers for your teeth as often as you change your shoes. If you wear your wingtips sporadically, that means that they won’t wear out as fast. But if you’re wearing them every day like we are supposed to, then you’ll need to change your retainers every two to five years.
Can I get a replacement retainer from a different orthodontist?
Often, people move for school or have to relocate to another place and no longer have easy access to the dentist who provides their braces or Invisalign. Nonetheless, no matter where you go, there is a considerable probability that you will require a replacement retainer. In these types of situations, it is reasonably acceptable to see a different orthodontist.
A new orthodontist may require you to come into the office first to make their own 3D scan or model of your teeth before creating a replacement retainer for your teeth alignment issues.
Visit Kumra Orthodontics and get an orthodontic retainer replacement for your teeth now.
Have additional questions regarding retainer options, or are you interested in scheduling a complimentary consultation for retainers, braces, or Invisalign? Schedule an appointment with us, your trusted local orthodontics, today.
