Clear Retainers

After orthodontic treatment, retainers are essential for keeping your teeth in their new position. At Didsbury Dental Lounge, we provide custom-made clear retainers that are comfortable, discreet, and designed to protect the results you worked hard to achieve.

Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back towards their original position after braces or aligner treatment. This is especially true in the first year after treatment ends. Wearing a retainer prevents this movement and ensures your teeth stay straight. Skipping retainer wear is the most common reason patients see their teeth shift after orthodontics, so it is an important part of the process.

We offer removable clear retainers (sometimes called Essix retainers) that fit over your teeth like a thin, transparent tray. They are virtually invisible when worn and easy to remove for eating and cleaning. For patients who prefer a fixed option, we also provide bonded retainers — a thin wire attached to the back of the front teeth that stays in place permanently and requires no daily effort to remember.

Initially, we recommend wearing your retainer every night. Over time, your dentist may advise reducing wear to a few nights per week. Many orthodontic professionals now recommend lifelong retainer use to maintain results, as teeth can shift at any age. The good news is that clear retainers are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear while you sleep without disrupting your routine.

Rinse your retainer each morning when you remove it and clean it gently with a soft toothbrush. Avoid using hot water, which can warp the plastic. Store it in the protective case we provide whenever it is not in your mouth. If your retainer cracks, becomes loose, or no longer fits properly, contact us for a replacement. Retainers do wear out over time and may need replacing every one to two years.

Whether you completed aligner treatment with us or elsewhere, we can provide new retainers to keep your smile in place. Our Fallowfield practice serves patients from Didsbury, Withington, and across South Manchester. Book an appointment and we will take care of the rest.