Dental Retainers South Croydon

The cost of retainers can vary.  Plastic removable retainers generally cost £170 per arch, while bonded fixed wire retainers are £250 per arch.  If you’re replacing an existing bonded retainer, there’s an additional £100 fee per arch for its removal.

For how long you need to wear a dental retainer, it’s generally understood that the longer you wear it, the longer your teeth will stay straight.  Initially, for the first 3-6 months after fixed orthodontics or Invisalign, teeth are at their highest risk of shifting.  During this phase, you should wear your retainer for 22+ hours a day, removing it only to eat, drink (non-water beverages), and brush your teeth.  After this initial period (6 months+ post-braces), most people transition to nighttime wear (around 8 hours) indefinitely.

If your retainer feels tight or causes a dull ache, it’s a sign that your teeth have already started to move, and you’ll likely need to increase your wear time.  If a retainer doesn’t fit, do not force it, as this can damage your retainer or even your teeth.  Instead, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist or dentist for an adjustment or replacement.

Without a retainer, teeth can shift surprisingly fast.  The elastic ligaments holding your teeth will try to pull them back to their original spots. 

While you might not see a difference immediately, you’ll feel it, which is why your retainer might feel “snug” when you put it back in. 

Within weeks and months, especially for the lower front teeth, shifts can become visible, leading to small gaps or rotations.  Significant relapse, affecting your bite, can occur after six months, making removable retainers no longer fit. 
After a year, teeth tend to drift towards the front of your mouth.

Even with a retainer, some teeth movement can still occur due to several factors:

• Time since orthodontics: Individuals who finished orthodontics more than five years ago generally have more stability than those who recently had their fixed braces removed, though movement is still possible.
• Original dental issue: If you had a large gap (diastema) or severely rotated teeth, these may be more prone to shifting.
• Clenching or grinding: This puts pressure on your teeth, pushing them out of alignment.
• Gum disease: Compromised bone due to gum disease can lead to rapid shifting, especially after fixed orthodontics.
• Type of retainer: Fixed dental retainers generally offer stronger and more consistent retention. 
• “Settling” process: After braces, upper and lower teeth slightly adjust to find an optimal interlock for chewing.
• Wear and tear: Essix retainers can stretch and lose their grip, allowing teeth to move. Fixed retainers can debond or break, causing unheld teeth to rotate or drift.
• Incomplete arch control: Fixed retainers typically hold only the front teeth, so movement in the back teeth can pressure the front teeth, causing them to tilt.
• Poor fit due to dental work: New fillings or crowns can alter tooth shape, affecting the fit of Essix retainers and potentially shifting teeth if forced.
  
  Many dental professionals recommend a “gold standard hybrid approach,” using both a fixed bonded retainer and an Essix retainer for enhanced security.
  Even with this, minimal movement can still happen over many years.

There are unfortunately no alternatives to wearing a dental retainer if you want your teeth to remain in their post-braces position.  Some form of physical stabilization is needed for the bone and ligaments.  If you choose not to wear a retainer, you should anticipate that your teeth will move, and you may need further orthodontic treatment.

The downsides of retainers include:

• Essix retainers: These can cause a lisp, need regular replacement as the plastic loses its grip, must be removed for eating, and can develop odour over time.
• Fixed dental retainers: These can trap plaque, requiring meticulous cleaning with specialised floss and regular dental hygiene visits.
  
  Both types can break and may eventually need repair or replacement, incurring additional costs and visits to your orthodontist.

Bottom teeth tend to shift more due to thinner bone, the natural forward movement of the lower jaw with age (mesial drift), pressure from the tongue and lips, and the general wear and tear on lower retainers.