Sometimes, life happens. Your dog may have mistaken your retainer for a new chew toy, or you might have realized you left your retainer, still in a napkin, at a restaurant two hours ago.
Whatever the reason, a lost or damaged retainer can feel like a mini crisis, especially after all the time and effort you’ve invested in your smile. At Kleinheinz Dentistry, we see this more often than you think, and the good news is that there’s no reason to panic.
Whether you’re dealing with a crack or a complete loss, and you’re just not sure what your next move should be, we’re here to help. If you wear clear teeth retainers in Charlotte, here’s what you need to know to stay on track with your retainers (and keep track of them).
Your Teeth Remember, And They’ll Shift if You Don’t Replace That Retainer
Clear retainers, like Suresmile, work by slowly shifting your teeth into the proper place over a few months. They require consistent wear to work effectively, and typically, we recommend you wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day.
Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, you’re at least a little familiar with clear retainers. If you’re not, no worries. Check out our blog on cosmetic dentistry for a complete breakdown of clear aligners.
When you damage or misplace your clear retainer, it’s easy to put replacing it on the back burner while you deal with everything else that’s going on in your life. However, you should immediately start the process of either getting your retainer replaced or repaired.
Teeth can begin to shift back into their original positions in as little as a week without proper retention. If you’ve lost or damaged your retainer, call our office sooner rather than later.
What to Do If You’ve Lost or Damaged Your Retainer
You can take a few steps as soon as you notice your retainer is lost or damaged. If you’ve lost your clear retainer:
- Stay calm. Check some of the most common places others have left their retainers, like in travel bags, in the pockets of their laundry, in the center console of their car, or around where they eat their meals.
- Don’t wear old aligners that don’t fit properly. This can do more harm than good to your teeth.
- If you can’t find your lost retainer, call Kleinheinz Dentistry. Our team will work with you to see what steps you can take to secure your smile.
If your clear retainer has been damaged:
- Avoid attempting to glue or DIY-repair the retainer. Not all glues are safe for the mouth, and can be dangerous to put on clear retainers.
- Contact Kleinheinz Dentistry as soon as you can. Our team understands that damage to retainers happens. We’ll see about getting you a replacement or move to your next set of trays in your treatment plan.
Tips to Avoid Losing or Damaging Your Retainer
If you want to prevent losing or damaging your clear aligners, here are some tips for preventing a retainer mishap again:
1. Keep a Retainer Case on Hand
When your clear retainers aren’t in your mouth, store them securely in a case. Cases help protect your retainer from damage and keep it in good shape so it can do its job properly.
2. Avoid Placing Your Retainer on Your Plate
Placing your clear retainer on your plate or wrapping it in a napkin on the table while you eat is tempting, but ill-advised. Retainers that are put on plates or wrapped in napkins often end up in the trash and are a quick way to lose your retainer.
3. Keep Your Retainer Out of Fido’s Reach
One of the most frequent causes for damage to clear teeth retainers in Charlotte is man’s best friend. Dogs love to chew and nibble on retainers, as they have a distinct scent that dogs are acutely aware of (even though we can’t smell it ourselves).
Keep your clear retainer well out of sniffing range to prevent it from becoming your pup’s new favorite chew toy.
Keep Your Progress on Track With Kleinheinz Dentistry
A lost or cracked retainer might feel like a setback, but with the right steps and a little help from our dental team, it doesn’t have to be. At Kleinheinz Dentistry, we make it easy to get the support you need, whether that means repairing your current retainer or replacing it.
If you’re using clear teeth retainers in Charlotte and something goes wrong, we’re here to help. Call us to schedule an appointment and get back to smiling with confidence.
