Short answer: If you lose your retainer, let the clinic know as soon as possible. Teeth can start moving back towards their old positions within a few days to a few weeks, especially in the first months after orthodontic treatment. If you have a spare retainer or a final treatment aligner your clinician approves, using it until the new one arrives can help limit tooth movement.
Why do teeth shift so quickly?
After orthodontic treatment, the tissues around the teeth take time to adapt to the new position. During this period, teeth tend to return to their old positions. The retainer counteracts this tendency. For general information, see our page on retention treatment.
What can you do until the new one arrives?
- Call the clinic and tell them when you lost it.
- If you have a spare retainer, start wearing it right away.
- If you had clear aligner treatment, ask your clinician whether you can use your last aligner temporarily.
- Do not delay the intraoral scan or impression appointment for a new retainer.
How to avoid losing your retainer
- Always put the retainer in its case when you take it out; retainers wrapped in a napkin often end up in the bin.
- Store it where pets cannot reach it.
- Carry the case in your hand luggage when travelling.
- If possible, get a spare retainer.
For situations that can happen while travelling, see our page on clear aligners while travelling, and for a broken retainer, read our article on why a broken retainer should be replaced promptly.
If you have not worn your retainer for a long time
An old retainer put back in after months may not fit the teeth properly, and forcing it in is not recommended. In this case, the current position of the teeth is examined; small shifts can be held with a new retainer, while marked shifts may need a short course of corrective treatment.
Quick questions
How many days can I go without a retainer?
This varies by person and by how long ago treatment ended; it is not possible to give a safe period, so a loss should be reported straight away.
If I have a fixed retainer, do I need a removable one too?
Some patients use both together; the clinician decides which is needed.
Will shifted teeth move back with a retainer?
Very small shifts can sometimes correct; marked shifts need a new assessment.
How do you find out what suits you?
The information here is general; the right plan for you is determined by an intraoral examination, X-rays and a clinician's assessment. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, Ankara, we go through these topics together with your questions during the first orthodontic consultation. For a general list of orthodontic problems, you can also see our page on orthodontic problems and treatment options.
