How to Get a Replacement Retainer

Having spent so much time and money bringing your teeth into perfect alignment, the only thing left for you to do is retain them in place. But what if your clear retainer is damaged, no longer fits well, or is lost? Your mind will likely go straight to the fear of your teeth going back to their misaligned state, which is natural.

If you are planning to replace a retainer after the current one has worn out or gone missing, you do not have much time to waste. Read on to find out when and how to get another retainer, whether to go through the same orthodontist, and why getting a new retainer from ALIGNERCO is both quick and stress-free.

Steps for Replacing a Retainer without Visiting a Dentist

If you need a new retainer, chances are that you need it fast, or else you risk reversing the progress made during teeth alignment. The fastest, most convenient way to get a replacement retainer is by ordering online through a brand like ALIGNERCO. Here is exactly what the ALIGNERCO process looks like if you are getting a new retainer:

1. Order Your Retainers

Order however many retainer sets you need for yourself. Ordering multiple sets offers savings. The plan will include an impression kit and a retainer case.

2. Take Dental Impressions at Home

Follow the instructions carefully and use the impression kit to make accurate dental impressions. You do not require any specialist tools for this part; just be patient when making dental molds.

3. Return the Impressions to ALIGNERCO

Pack the molds carefully, as your retainers will be manufactured based on them. Now send the impressions back free of charge, with an included pre-paid label.

4. Molds Are Clinically Reviewed and Manufactured

Before going into production, a licensed professional checks your impressions for any defects. After that, the process to fabricate your retainers starts.

5. You Receive Your Replacement Retainers

You get your retainers delivered to your house, and you can start right where you left off.

Since the use of retainers after teeth straightening is a critical part of the overall alignment journey, you cannot really afford to skip wearing one for long.

Getting a New Retainer from a Dental Office

How to get a new retainer if you cannot wait? Replacing retainers through ALIGNERCO is one way, but it is not the only way. If you need help right away or if your bite has changed significantly, an in-person option might be better.

Going to Your Orthodontist

If you used the services of an orthodontist to straighten your teeth, then you can visit them to get a replacement retainer made urgently. Since they placed braces or aligners on your teeth, they usually have your dental impressions or scans on file. If not, they can take new ones in the office and start the process of making retainers for you. They can also provide an assessment if your teeth have shifted since losing your retainers.

As good as in-person care is, retainers made by an orthodontist end up costing more because you are paying for the office visit as well as professional time.

Dentist Ordered Retainers

Another way to get replacement retainers is for your dentist to take impressions and send them to a dental lab to have them made. This is similar to an orthodontist, but it might be more convenient if you see your dentist more regularly than your orthodontist.

When you order your replacement retainers through your dentist, you get the benefit of professional oversight. While you are there, your dental practitioner can check whether your teeth have shifted and confirm that a replacement retainer is appropriate. You can also get them to check the fit of a retainer once it is delivered.

Best Time for Replacing a Retainer

If your current retainer looks as good as new, fits properly, and has no visible defects in it, you can wear it for the prescribed length of time. Below, we have laid out the most common situations where getting a new aligner is ideal, if not necessary.

If Your Retainer Is Worn Out

Retainers are under constant pressure every time you wear them. Over time, their material starts weakening. A worn-out retainer may look fine, but it no longer applies consistent force to hold teeth in place. When this happens, you may need a new retainer even if there is no visible damage.

If Your Retainer Is Cracked

A cracked retainer can be worn temporarily, especially if the split is superficial. But the longer you use a cracked plastic retainer, the greater your chances of unwanted tooth movement or even a mouth injury.

If Your Retainer Is Broken

A retainer can bend, warp, or partially break without fully snapping into two pieces. This most often happens if you bite down on it accidentally or place it near high heat when it’s not in your mouth. By that point, it will be misshapen enough to require a replacement immediately.

If It No Longer Fits Properly

Your retainer should sit fully on your teeth. If it is tight in some areas and loose in others, then its fit has changed. It could either be because your teeth have shifted or the retainer has stretched over time. In these cases, you need a new retainer to restore proper retention.

If Your Retainer Is Discolored or Smells

Since you wear a retainer all the time (at least in the beginning), it can become cloudy, yellowed, or even develop a persistent odor. This discoloration is not always harmful and can be taken care of with regular cleaning. But if it isn’t going away with cleaning, it's usually time to replace a retainer.

If You Lost Your Retainer

Between taking it off for meals and drinks and placing it back on, it is really easy to misplace a retainer because of its size and transparency. Once you lose a retainer, your teeth can begin shifting surprisingly fast. So, if you can’t find your retainer, order a replacement right away.

If You Have Not Worn Your Retainer Consistently

You might think that skipping wearing your retainer won’t make much of a difference, but it does. Your teeth can move back just enough to make using your current retainer an uncomfortable experience. In that case, replacing a retainer is a safer choice than forcing the old one on.

Tips for Replacing a Retainer

Replacing a retainer shouldn’t be a task driven by anxiety, leading to frustration. Here are a few tips to stay on top of the game.

Take Great Impressions

When you are getting a new retainer through an online service like ALIGNERCO, impressions are everything. The better they are, the better your new retainers will fit. Spend the time to follow every step in the kit.

Act Early if Your Retainer Is Failing

If you notice your retainer feels loose, warped, or you have a cracked retainer, don’t delay. Teeth can begin to shift almost immediately if there is no retention. Starting the replacement process early prevents longer-term problems.

Keep Extra Retainers

You don’t really know when you are going to misplace or damage your current retainer. If and when that happens, having an extra set of retainers on hand means you stay covered.

Visit Your Dentist in Person

If it’s been some time since you lost your retainer and your bite feels completely different now, visiting your dentist or orthodontist can make sure that the replacement retainers are accurate.

Taking Care of Your Replacement Retainers

After you get a new retainer and start wearing it regularly, you would want to take maximum care of it. If it’s your first set of retainers, feel free to take a deeper dive into retainer types, wear schedules, and care in our complete retainers guide .

Below are a few easy ways to make sure your retainer stays in tip-top shape:

• Wash it daily with gentle soap and lukewarm water.
• Avoid running it under hot water, or its plastic will warp.
• Use its case to store it safely when it’s not in your mouth.
• Do not chew gum when you are wearing a retainer.
• Use a soft brush to clean it without using any harsh chemicals.

While daily rinsing helps, it won’t necessarily remove any deep buildup that causes cloudiness and odor over time. This is where you can use ALIGNERCO Cleansing Tablets made specifically for deep cleaning clear retainers.

Planning for Future Retainers

While retainers are meant to make your new smile permanent, they themselves are not really permanent devices. With the passage of time, they go through daily wear and clenching, and their natural material fatigues. All of it combined reduces their effectiveness.

So even though your retainer might look as good as the day you purchased it, it might have gone through subtle changes in its shape and flexibility. That is why planning for a replacement before you actually need a new retainer will save you a lot of panic and logistics. It could be as simple as having a backup retainer at hand.