As a dentist offering clear aligners, orthodontic therapy doesn’t end with the completion of treatment. Post-treatment retention is essential to maintaining long-term results, and this is where retainers play a critical role.
For dentists, communicating the importance of retainers—especially after using Orthosnap clear aligners—is key to ensuring that patients enjoy their new smiles for years to come.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the FAQs for Orthosnap retainers and best practices for helping patients care for their retainers.
What are Orthosnap Retainers?
Orthosnap retainers are made from the same material as our aligners - a 1mm thickness aligner essentially, with no programmed movements. Upon request, we can fabricate a thicker retainer of 1.5mm.
We generally make retainers without space for attachments, but you can request the retainers to be fabricated with or without.
Some doctors keep the patient's attachments on for the first 6 months in case a high-risk patient experiences a relapse and needs to have it corrected immediately.
Ordering Retainers
Orthosnap allows doctors to order retainers in several formats:
With each aligner package, you'll get one free upper/lower retainer
Separately for a patient not receiving aligners
As a package of 8 trays, 4 upper/4 lower = a 2-year supply
Only recommend ordering the package of retainers if the patient has all restorative needs addressed. As soon as 1 tooth changes shape due to a new restoration, the aligners will no longer fit.
Each retainer should last approximately 6 months before it's time to replace them. Retainers, like aligners, can wear out, especially if the patient is bruxer.
To order a set of retainers, visit the Orthosnap portal here.
Retainer Wear Cycle - How long do I need to wear them?
This is a tricky question to answer... The simplest and easiest solution is for the patient to wear them every night, for as long as the patient wants to maintain their pristine orthodontic results.
All teeth tend to relapse to a more comfortable position. So the patient can generally wear the retainers less and less by testing to see how much their teeth move between retainer wear periods. So if they feel very tight when they put the retainer back on, the patient probably needs to be wearing them more.
The patient should plan on full-time retainer wear for 1 to 3 months and then nightly wear thereafter.
Need more help? Reach out to us at any time!