How long do I need to wear my retainer?

Most patients wear their retainer full-time for the first few months after treatment, then shift to night-only wear long-term. Because relapse can happen at any age, most orthodontists recommend some form of nightly retainer wear indefinitely to keep teeth from drifting.

What happens if I lose or break my retainer?

If your retainer is lost or broken, contact one of our Florida dental offices as soon as possible. Even a few weeks without a retainer can allow teeth to begin shifting, so we recommend scheduling a replacement fitting right away rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Can I eat with my retainer in?

Removable retainers, whether Hawley or clear, should come out before eating to avoid damage. Fixed retainers stay in place all the time, so patients with a bonded retainer should avoid biting directly into very hard or sticky foods.

A new retainer may feel tight or cause mild pressure for the first few days as it holds teeth in position, similar to the feeling of a new Invisalign tray. This sensation typically fades within a week as the mouth adjusts.

My child's retainer doesn't fit anymore. What should we do?

Growing children sometimes need an updated retainer as their bite continues to develop. Schedule a checkup so we can evaluate whether a new retainer or a brief course of correction is the right next step.

Retainers After Braces in Aventura & Pembroke Pines, FL

Protect Your New Smile: Retainer Care for Kids, Teens & Adults

Finishing treatment with braces or Invisalign is a big milestone, but the work of keeping teeth straight doesn’t end when the brackets come off or the last aligner tray is worn. A retainer holds teeth in their corrected position while the surrounding bone and gum tissue settle into place, preventing the gradual shifting that can undo months or years of orthodontic progress.

At Dental Care Group Kids, we fit, adjust, and replace retainers for patients of all ages throughout Aventura, Pembroke Pines, and the surrounding South Florida communities, including Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, and Davie.

Whether your child just finished braces or you’re ready to replace an old, worn-out retainer, our team makes it simple to protect the results you worked hard to achieve. To schedule a retainer fitting or replacement, contact us today:

Aventura: (305) 935-1613
Pembroke Pines: (954) 430-2300

Orthodontic Dental Care for the Whole Family

Dr. Mars, a Diamond Invisalign® Provider ranked in the top 1% of Invisalign providers nationwide, oversees retainer planning for patients who complete treatment at either of our locations, with additional orthodontic support from Dr. Scott Spencer. Because our team treats children, teens, and adults under one roof, we’re able to track a patient’s bite and retainer needs across every stage of life, from a child’s first phase of treatment through adult touch-ups years later.

Why Retainers Are Essential After Orthodontic Treatment

Teeth are held in the jawbone by ligaments that continue adjusting for months after active orthodontic treatment ends. Without a retainer, these ligaments can pull teeth back toward their original positions, a process orthodontists call relapse.

Locks in Results: Retainers hold teeth exactly where braces or Invisalign moved them.
Protects Your Investment: Skipping retainer wear can undo years of treatment in a matter of months.
Supports Jaw Stability: A properly fitted retainer helps the bite settle evenly on both sides.
Prevents Costly Retreatment: Wearing a retainer as directed is far less expensive than correcting a relapsed smile later.

Types of Orthodontic Retainers

Please ask our Aventura or Pembroke Pines orthodontic team to see which options Dental Care Group Kids has available.

Hawley Retainers

A Hawley retainer uses a molded acrylic base that sits against the roof of the mouth or along the inside of the lower teeth, connected to a thin metal wire that wraps around the front teeth. It’s removable, durable, and adjustable, which makes it a common choice for patients who may need small corrections over time.

Clear (Essix) Retainers

Clear retainers look similar to Invisalign trays and fit closely over the entire arch of teeth. They’re nearly invisible, comfortable for most patients, and a popular option for teens and adults who want a low-profile way to maintain their smile.

Fixed (Permanent) Retainers

A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth, usually on the lower arch. It stays in place continuously and requires no daily removal, though it does need regular checkups to confirm the bonding is holding securely.

How the Retainer Process Works

Final orthodontic checkup. Once braces are removed or your last Invisalign tray is complete, we evaluate your teeth and confirm they’ve reached their final position.
Impressions or digital scan. We take a mold or 3D scan of your teeth to create a retainer that fits precisely.
Custom fabrication. Your retainer is built to match your bite and the type recommended for your case.
Fitting appointment. We check the fit, walk you through wear and cleaning instructions, and answer any questions.
Follow-up monitoring. Periodic checkups confirm your retainer still fits well and your smile is staying put.

Signs You Need a New or Replacement Retainer

If any of these apply, don’t wait. A gap in retainer wear, even a short one, can allow teeth to begin drifting.

Your current retainer feels loose, cracked, or doesn’t seat fully
You’ve noticed even slight shifting in your front teeth
It’s been lost, warped from heat exposure, or chewed by a pet
You’re a teen who has outgrown a retainer from an earlier stage of treatment
It’s been longer than a year since your last retainer checkup

Caring for Your Orthodontic Retainer

Retainer care is easy with the right maintenance instructions and tools:

Clean it daily with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water; avoid hot water, which can warp plastic retainers
Store it in its case whenever it’s out of your mouth to prevent loss or damage
Keep it away from pets, who are drawn to the smell and texture of retainer plastic
Follow your wear schedule exactly, whether that’s full-time initially or nights-only long-term
Bring it to checkups so we can confirm fit and catch small issues before they become bigger problems

The Cost of Retainers in South Florida

Clear and traditional retainers typically cost between $150 and $600 per retainer when purchased through a dentist or orthodontist, with prices varying based on material, whether it’s a Hawley (wire and acrylic) or clear plastic retainer, and geographic location. Patients who need to replace a lost or broken retainer without additional orthodontic treatment usually pay closer to the lower end of that range for a single retainer, while a full set (upper and lower) can run higher.

Some orthodontic offices include the initial retainer in the total cost of braces or Invisalign treatment, so it’s worth checking whether a replacement will be billed separately.