Retainers protect the result you worked for once your braces come off.
If your retainer has gone missing or cracked, call your orthodontist as soon as you can and keep wearing anything you still have that fits. Teeth start to drift once they lose support, and the longer the gap, the more likely they'll need correcting. At Textbook Orthodontics we make and replace dental retainers for patients across Los Angeles County, and a quick call usually keeps a small problem small.
Here's what to do straight away, and what to expect next.
What to do in the first 24 hours
Put in a spare or older retainer tonight, if you have one that still fits without force.
Keep any broken pieces in the case and bring them with you.
Don't glue, bend or file the retainer yourself.
Call the office nearest you and explain what happened.
Dr. Nathan Nourian's own advice to patients is to get in touch immediately if a retainer breaks or goes missing, so a new one can be made before teeth have a chance to move. If you call outside office hours, leave a message and the team will call you back.
How quickly do teeth move without dental retainers?
It depends mostly on how long ago your braces or aligners came off. The first few months are when teeth are least settled, because the bone and gum fibers around them are still adjusting to their new positions. That's why Dr. Nourian has most patients wear their retainers full time for the first few months, then every night for as long as they want to keep their teeth straight.
Once that early stage is over, things are more forgiving. His patient instructions say that missing a single night should be fine for a settled smile. A week or a month is a different story, and that's where people start to see a front tooth turn or a closed gap open again.
A tight retainer is the warning sign. If yours feels much tighter than usual after a few nights out, your teeth have already started to shift. You can read more about how tight a retainer should feel.
Broken, cracked or loose: what each one means
A cracked clear retainer
A small chip on the edge of an Essix (clear) retainer may still hold your teeth for a few days. A split that runs across the tray won't. Clear retainers can also warp if they're cleaned in hot water, which is why the practice's care instructions say to use cold water only. A warped tray that no longer sits flat needs replacing.
A bent Hawley wire
Hawley retainers use acrylic and a thin wire. If the wire bends, don't try to straighten it. Small adjustments to that wire are exactly how the retainer controls your teeth, so a home fix can push a tooth the wrong way.
A fixed retainer that's come loose
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind your front teeth. If one end comes unstuck, the teeth it was holding are free to move, even though most of the wire still looks fine. Don't pull at it. Keep it clean and call to have it rebonded.
Lost it? Where retainers usually end up
Most lost retainers get wrapped in a napkin at lunch and thrown away with the tray. Pockets, gym bags and car door pockets come next. Dogs are drawn to the smell, so a retainer left on a nightstand doesn't always last the night.
The fix is a habit, not a gadget. Dr. Nourian's rule is simple: when the retainer isn't being worn, it goes in its case. That one habit prevents most breakages as well as most losses.
If your retainer isn’t in your mouth, it belongs in its case.
What happens at your replacement visit
First, the team checks how much your teeth have moved since the old retainer was last worn. If the change is small, a new retainer made from a fresh scan can usually hold them where they are. If they've moved further, Dr. Nourian will explain your options, which can include a short course of treatment to bring them back before a new retainer is made.
Either way, the new retainer has to match your teeth as they are now. That's why it's made from a new scan rather than an old mold. If cost is a worry, ask when you call.
Choosing your next retainer
Textbook Orthodontics offers three types: Hawley, Essix (clear) and fixed retainers. If you've lost more than one removable retainer, a fixed retainer may suit you better, since it can't be left behind. Many patients also keep a spare clear retainer at home, which turns a lost retainer into a minor inconvenience instead of a rush.
Dr. Nourian will recommend the option that fits your bite and your habits, not just the one that looks least noticeable. You can see how each type works in our guide to retainer types, and the retainer care instructions cover day-to-day wear and cleaning.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear my old retainer until the new one is ready?
If it slides on fully and doesn't hurt, wearing it is better than wearing nothing. Tell the team you're using it. If it won't seat or feels painfully tight, stop and call.
My retainer feels tight after a few nights off. What does that mean?
Your teeth have moved slightly, and the tightness shows roughly how much. Wear it consistently and the feeling should ease. If it won't go on at all, call the office.
Do I really need a retainer for life?
For most people, yes, at night. Teeth can shift throughout life, so nightly wear is what keeps the result in place.
Can I clean my retainer with toothpaste?
No. Toothpaste can scratch it. Use a soft toothbrush kept just for the retainer, a little mild dish soap and cold water.
Get dental retainers replaced in Los Angeles County
If your retainer is lost, broken or no longer fits, call the office nearest you today. Dr. Nourian treats every patient personally, from the first consultation through retainer delivery, so the person checking your teeth knows how they were straightened. We replace dental retainers for patients across Los Angeles County at four offices.
Panorama City: 8424 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402. Call (818) 510-3440.
Los Angeles: 1563 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Call (213) 933-6370.
Hawthorne: 14248 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Call (310) 751-3098.
Whittier: 14564 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90605. Call (562) 693-8202.
Book a free consultation: https://textbookorthodontics.com/consultation