Retainer Repairs in Longmont, CO | Martin Family Orthodontics

When to Repair or Replace a Retainer

Bring your retainer in if it shows any of these problems:

• Cracks, splits, or broken plastic
• Bent or broken wires
• A change in fit that makes it hurt or feel loose
• Stained, discolored, or odor-retaining material that does not respond to cleaning
• A fixed (bonded) retainer wire that has come loose from a tooth
• Wear and thinning that suggests the retainer is reaching the end of its useful life

If your retainer is lost, broken in half, or you have not worn it in months, call us right away. Even a few weeks without retention can be enough for teeth to begin drifting, and the longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it is to reverse the movement.

Types of Retainers We Repair and Replace

We work with the full range of common retainer types:

• Clear (Vivera, Essix) retainers. Transparent plastic trays that fit over the teeth. Discreet and comfortable, but they wear down over time.
• Hawley retainers. Acrylic with metal wires across the front. Durable and adjustable.
• Bonded (fixed) retainers. Thin wires bonded to the back of the front teeth. These often last for many years but occasionally come loose and need re-bonding.

If you are not sure what type of retainer you have, bring it in. We can identify it quickly.

Did You Finish Treatment Somewhere Else?

You do not need to be an existing patient of Martin Family Orthodontics to get a retainer repair or replacement. We see patients regularly who finished their original orthodontic treatment in another city or with another orthodontist and now need ongoing retention support. Bring your current retainer, or come in for a new evaluation if your retainer is lost. We will get you back into retention.

What to Expect During a Retainer Visit

Lost retainer or replacement needed. A complete replacement starts with an iTero digital impression of your current tooth positions. New retainers are typically fabricated within a short timeframe and delivered at a follow-up appointment.

Broken or damaged retainer. Many repairs can be done in a single visit. Complex damage or significant wear may indicate it is time for a replacement rather than a repair.

Re-bonding a fixed retainer wire. If the wire has come off a tooth but is still otherwise intact, we can typically re-bond it the same day.

Checking fit after a period of no retainer use. If you stopped wearing your retainer for a while and want to restart, do not just force it back in. Come in for a check. We will see whether the existing retainer still fits or whether a new one (or limited additional treatment) is needed.

Why Long-Term Retention Matters

Teeth want to move. That is true at every age, whether you finished orthodontic treatment six months ago or twenty years ago. The supporting ligaments around your teeth remember their original position for a long time, and without consistent retention, the alignment you achieved during active treatment can drift.

Most patients can transition from full-time retainer wear to nighttime-only wear after the first phase of retention. But “nighttime-only” should mean nighttime-every-night, ideally for life. Patients who wear retainers consistently keep their results. Patients who stop typically see gradual relapse over months and years.

What If My Teeth Have Already Shifted?

If your teeth have moved noticeably since your retainer broke or was lost, a routine retainer replacement may no longer be enough. Limited orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or short-course braces can correct minor relapse before placing new retainers. We will give you an honest assessment.