Retainers

A retainer holds teeth where they ended up after braces or aligners, because teeth can drift back.

You are fitted for retainers when treatment ends. The orthodontist sets how often you wear them, and changes that at check-ins.

What happens, in order

01
Step 1: Fitting
A scan or impression is taken as your braces come off or your last tray is done.
02
Step 2: First weeks
You wear the retainer as often as the orthodontist says, usually more at first.
03
Step 3: Check-ins
We look at the fit and your teeth, and the orthodontist may change the schedule.
04
Step 4: Over time
You keep wearing it on the schedule you were given. Replace it when it stops fitting.

Comfort
A new retainer can feel tight at first. Speech can sound different for a few days.
Choices
A removable tray, or a thin wire fixed behind the teeth. The orthodontist recommends one for your case.
If you skip it
Teeth can shift back toward where they started. If your retainer stops fitting, call us before you try to force it.
Risks and care
Clean it as we show you. A fixed wire needs careful flossing, and can come loose. Removable retainers are easy to lose, so keep yours in its case.
How it's billed
Whether your first retainers are in the treatment fee is written in your estimate. Replacements are billed on their own. Read how fees work.
Who provides it
Dr. Blia Xiong and Dr. Lilian Zepeda, orthodontists, provide your care.

The orthodontist sets a schedule when treatment ends, then changes it at check-ins. Teeth can shift if a retainer is left out.

Call us the day you notice. We tell you whether to wear a spare, and what a replacement involves.

A removable retainer comes out for sports and goes in its case, never a napkin or a pocket.

Yes. We show you how to floss around it, and you call us if it comes loose.

It depends on what the estimate says. Ask Alyssa before treatment ends and she will go through it with you.

Send a request and Alyssa will call, text or email you back with a time. A parent or guardian can ask for anyone under 18.