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You’ve invested time and money into perfecting your smile. It is precisely the way you want it, so now what? Well, it’s in your best interest to purchase a retainer so that you can retain your new smile and straight teeth. You understand the importance of your retainer, so you always try to keep it in a safe place. However, maybe you wake up one morning and realize you misplaced it. While you may feel anxious and stressed out initially, take a deep breath and know that all will be okay. There are steps you can take to rest easy again and ensure that your teeth stay as they are.
What Happens if You Don’t Wear Your Retainer?
You may first be wondering if it’s a big deal that you lost or misplaced your retainer. That’s why it is important to learn more about what happens if you don’t wear your retainer after getting your teeth aligned. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, if you fail to wear your retainers, your teeth can move out of place. Your teeth may move from simple daily functions such as eating, sleeping, and talking. If you aren’t wearing your retainer and allow your teeth to move, then your only choice may be to get fitted for a new retainer. It’s not only going to take time out of your schedule but adds to the total cost because now you have to replace your retainer. Retainers help retain your new smile, which is why they are important after your teeth straightening treatment and should be replaced if lost soon. You can rest easy because you have some time after you realize you misplaced your retainer. Your teeth aren’t going to start moving all around in your mouth suddenly. It’s unclear how much time you have before it becomes a real issue, so it’s best to find your retainer or take action fairly quickly after you misplace it.
What to do if You Lose Your Retainer
Have you lost your set of retainers? Have you finally started to get worried? Don’t worry, if it has not been a long time since you last saw your retainers, you may be safe yet. Your teeth are not going to shift overnight but remember you should not give it time. In case you have lost your new retainers, you can order a new set as soon as possible so that your new smile stays in place.
You may be thinking that’s great but are still concerned because you can’t find your retainer yet. The process and steps you can take are a bit easier than you may assume initially. If you recently lost it and don’t believe you will find it, then you can order a replacement one. While you may be panicking a bit, remember that your teeth aren’t going to shift overnight. Therefore, an ideal option is to get on the phone and order a replacement retainer that will be made from the same impressions. Now, if it’s been weeks or months then it’s a different story. The process of solving your problem will be a bit different. It’s more than likely your teeth have shifted and moved around somewhat. Therefore, you’re going to want to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist who can start the process of getting you a new one. Your orthodontist will take an intraoral scan or dental impression, which will be used to make your new retainers. It’s essential to remember that while you may be persuaded to order one based on your old impressions, it’s not a wise idea. A poor-fitting retainer will do you more harm than good in the long run. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed that you’ve misplaced your retainer. It happens, and it’s more than likely your orthodontist will be happy to step in and help you solve your problem.
How Much is A Replacement Retainer
Retainers start at just $99 when purchasing them through our website. If you’re a current customer, then they’ll cost you even less. At the end of our treatment, we provide free retainers to our customers with an option to buy additional retainers at a discounted price ($49) when you place an order for aligners with us. Keep your newly molded smile in its place with clear retainers. Order a set of backup retainers for your work, holiday, and travel. Get $50 off on your Backup Retainers when ordered along with Aligners on the SmileAdvantage plan. You should expect to pay more if you order from your orthodontist’s office. You can save money if you choose an online company. It’s all about how quickly you’re willing to act. The prices will increase the longer you wait to replace your retainer. You risk having to wear braces or aligners again if you allow too much time to pass. This can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your treatment.
DIY Retainer: Is it A Good Option
You may find it rather tempting to want to make a retainer on your own to try and save money. However, this approach can lead to some serious problems and isn’t a wise option. There are many ways people make their own retainers, such as manipulating mass-produced mouth guards to using rubber bands and other items to keep the teeth in place. You’re likely setting yourself up for an orthodontic nightmare in this case. Not only are properly designed retainers safer, but they apply the proper amount of pressure to your teeth, so they stay in place. Another way people try to work around replacing a retainer is to wear an old one. You may notice it’s still in reasonable condition and assumes it’ll help to keep your teeth from moving. However, your retainer must provide an accurate fit if it’s going to prevent your teeth from moving. If it does fit properly and you want to wear it, then you should at least take the time to clean it thoroughly before you do. If it does not fit well, you may notice that you’re in some pain trying to get it in your mouth right. If you happen to get it stuck, you may need to take a trip to the orthodontist to remove it for you. It may not only damage your teeth but cause them to shift in undesirable ways. Then you’d need to invest in additional orthodontic care. Losing your retainer is more common of a problem then you may assume. While it may be frustrating for you, be happy because it is an issue that you can solve. If you recently lost your retainer, consider a custom-fit replacement from our company. Replacements are affordable, and you’ll receive it quickly.
