Retainer Wear & Care

Retainer Wear & Care

Attaining a stunning, harmonious, and efficient smile serves as the ultimate gratification for wholeheartedly embracing the dedication, time, and financial commitment required in orthodontic treatment. Now that you have successfully conquered the challenging phase, it is imperative to shift your attention towards preserving the brilliance of your newly acquired and captivating smile.

Why use braces at all?

The majority of individuals who have undergone orthodontic treatment will likely require the use of some type of retention device. Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining the results of the treatment, as they are not intended to reposition or correct the teeth, but rather to prevent them from reverting back to their previous position or becoming misaligned again. It is important to bear in mind that the positive outcomes achieved through orthodontic care can be sustained throughout a person’s lifetime. By diligently wearing the retainers as directed by your orthodontist, you can preserve the straightness and beauty of your teeth, just as they were when your treatment concluded.

guidelines for wearing

Once the active phase of your treatment has been successfully completed, you will receive transparent retainers to ensure the stability and preservation of your newly aligned smile. These retainers are specifically designed and individually crafted to flawlessly fit your unique case, ensuring optimal maintenance.

During the initial 3 months following the conclusion of your treatment, it is crucial to wear the retainers continuously. This means you should wear them throughout the entire day and night. While it is permissible to remove the retainers for brushing your teeth and cleaning them, it is important to promptly put them back on, without letting significant time elapse.

After the initial 3 months, or as recommended by our office, you may transition to wearing the retainers only during nighttime. The nighttime usage will provide the necessary support to sustain the results of your treatment. It is important to remember that wearing the retainers consistently at night remains one of the most effective methods to prevent any unwanted shifting or relapse.

Maintenance and care of retainers

Similar to your aligners for treatment, your personalized retainers are crafted from top-quality, biologically safe, durable, and transparent plastic materials without BPA. Ordinarily, these retainers have a lifespan of approximately two years. Nevertheless, due to their prolonged usage compared to aligners, they may stretch or suffer from damage. Additionally, activities such as clenching, grinding, irregular use as prescribed, and forcefully putting them back into position can also cause them to stretch or become damaged.

Our suggestions for retainers

We highly endorse the use of Vivera® retainers on behalf of our office. These retainers, crafted by the same skilled team responsible for Invisalign® aligners, are conveniently available in sets of four. This allows for a rotating cycle of retainers, with the option to experiment with a fresh retainer every six months. This enables you to assess whether your current retainer has stretched or lost its efficacy, indicating the need for a new one to sustain the proper alignment of your cherished smile.

Have appropriately sized retainers on hand.

We highly recommend opting for Vivera® as an excellent choice for retainers. Crafted by the same team responsible for creating the remarkable Invisalign® aligners, these retainers are conveniently provided in sets of four. This unique feature allows you to regularly try on a fresh retainer every six months, enabling you to assess if your current one has stretched and determine if it’s time to switch to a new one. By consistently utilizing the updated retainer, you can continue to effectively maintain the alignment and beauty of your smile.

Maintaining your braces

In addition to adhering to the prescribed wear of your retainers, it is crucial to maintain their cleanliness both on a daily and long-term basis. To ensure that any food particles are effectively removed, it is advisable to rinse your retainers with a gentle flow of lukewarm water. Alternatively, you may employ the Invisalign cleaning tub and solution recommended specifically for your aligners during treatment.

You are encouraged to also bring your retainers during your regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments for a thorough cleaning.

 

What Our Patients Are Saying

EVERSMILE DENTAL
4.8
Based on 522 reviews
  • Excellent doctor, friendly staff and very clean office. Dr. Estedrak is very detail oriented, knowledgeable and patient. She carefully listened to all of my complaints and performed all of the necessary dental work right on the spot. Dr. E and her assistant both explained what they were doing in great detail so I could feel comfortable and in control throughout the process. I'd highly recommend this dental office.

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    KINGA N AVATAR Kinga N
    October 17, 2019

    I've had the pleasure of being treated by Dr. Maryz Estedrak at EverSmile Dental, and I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience. She is clearly very well skilled and takes the time to thoroughly explain every procedure, ensuring that as a patient, I feel comfortable and well-informed. Dr. Estedrak has a friendly disposition and patiently answers all your questions, making sure you understand everything.Her staff is equally impressive—they are welcoming, polite, and go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. From start to finish, my visits have been nothing short of exceptional. I highly recommend Dr. Estedrak and her team at EverSmile Dental for anyone seeking top-notch dental care.

    ANA V AVATAR Ana V
    May 19, 2025

    I love 💕 my dentist. She makes me feel comfortable and takes time to answer all of my many questions. Her work is incredible and I know she prides herself in doing and giving her best. I highly recommend her to everyone!!!

    DANISHA GREENE AVATAR DaNisha Greene
    July 24, 2024
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Estedrak for 3 years and she has been very professional and courteous as well as personable. I hope to continue being her patient for years to come.

    NAPHTALI GILEAD AVATAR Naphtali Gilead
    December 26, 2025

    Been with her for 8 years ! no complaints front desk & the employees are such a light ! Every-time I wait to be called for my appointment they always make good conversation. Dr M is the best, she explains everything thoroughly, reassures, & always takes good care of her patients would highly recommend ! 💖

    DORALIS POLANCO AVATAR Doralis polanco
    November 20, 2025

    Dr. Maryz and her staff are amazing. I loved her clear explanation of what should be done next. She made sure, I understood. She also gave me the best mouth cleaning I ever got. I highly recommend this dentist.

    NELSY VICTORIA AVATAR Nelsy Victoria
    January 13, 2026
  • I’ve always been very afraid of going to the dentist due to bad experiences in the past, but this doctor Maryz completely changed that for me. She was very kind, patient, and supportive throughout the entire process, always making sure I felt comfortable and understood what was happening.The whole team is extremely professional and honest, which made me feel confident and well taken care of. It’s truly a pleasure to have them as my primary dentists. Highly recommended!

    GUSTAVO GUEVARA AVATAR gustavo guevara
    December 22, 2025

    Very pleasant experience and professional service definitely recommend if your looking for a dentist in Bergen County NJ

    MICHAEL SGAMBATI AVATAR Michael Sgambati
    October 24, 2025

    I’m very happy with how my teeth came out and Dr. Maryz is very kind and sociable and my teeth are beautiful!!

    JOANN RUSSO AVATAR Joann Russo
    December 22, 2025

Areas We Serve

EverSmile Dental is your family dentist near you — proudly serving patients across Bergen County and surrounding communities in NJ. Whether you’re searching for a dentist near you in Paramus, Fair Lawn, Ridgewood, or Saddle Brook, our dental office is just minutes away.

Answers to Common Questions

Indefinitely. Teeth can shift at any age, so nightly wear is a lifelong habit — not just a first-year requirement.

Your teeth can start drifting back within weeks. Some relapse can be corrected with a new retainer alone; more significant shifting may require another round of Invisalign or braces.

Most retainers last about two years with proper care, though grinding, clenching, or inconsistent wear can shorten that. Vivera® retainers come in sets of four so you always have a fresh one on hand every six months.

No, remove it before eating or drinking anything besides water to avoid damage and staining.

Rinse it with lukewarm water after every wear, and use an Invisalign® cleaning solution weekly for a deeper clean. Never use hot water or toothpaste, which can scratch or warp the plastic.

Stop wearing it and call our office. A retainer that’s tight, loose, or cracked needs to be evaluated — forcing a bad fit can damage the retainer or shift your teeth unevenly.