After completing your orthodontic treatment, retainers become your smile’s best friend. The journey to a perfectly aligned smile doesn’t end when your braces come off or when you finish your last clear aligner tray. Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining those results you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
At McCullum Orthodontics, we’re committed to ensuring your smile remains as beautiful as the day your treatment concluded. Dr. Heather McCullum brings her extensive experience and personalized approach to helping you maintain your transformed smile for years to come.
Your teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions after orthodontic treatment. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, wearing your retainer as prescribed is the most important thing you can do to protect your investment. We also offer flexible financing options to help make retention care as accessible as your original treatment. This movement, called relapse, happens because:
These custom-fitted, transparent retainers fit precisely over your teeth and are virtually invisible. They're comfortable, durable, and allow for easy removal during meals and brushing.
This classic retainer type features a custom-fitted acrylic base with a wire that wraps around your teeth. Though more visible than clear alternatives, Hawley retainers are highly adjustable, durable, and can last for many years with proper care.
For patients who need long-term retention, we offer bonded wire retainers that are attached to the back of your teeth. These provide continuous protection against shifting without requiring you to remember to wear them.
Even with excellent care, retainers do not last forever. Here are signs it may be time for a replacement: cracks, breaks, or bent wires; a fit that feels tight, loose, or uncomfortable; white calcium buildup that does not brush away; or persistent odor or yellowing despite proper cleaning. If you notice any of these, contact McCullum Orthodontics promptly for an evaluation.
Teeth are not rigidly fixed in the jawbone. They are held by a network of periodontal ligaments that were stretched and remodeled throughout treatment. After orthodontic appliances are removed, those ligaments have a biological memory of their prior positions and will actively pull teeth back toward them if retainer wear is discontinued. This process, known as orthodontic relapse, does not stop with age. Research published by the American Association of Orthodontists confirms that relapse risk persists lifelong, making indefinite retainer wear the standard recommendation for maintaining orthodontic results. Adult patients who had treatment years ago and stopped wearing retainers are often candidates for retreatment for this exact reason.
Many dental insurance plans with an orthodontic benefit include coverage for replacement retainers or at minimum for the original set provided at the end of treatment. McCullum Orthodontics reviews your insurance benefits as part of the consultation process so you know what to expect. Flexible financing options are available for out-of-pocket retainer costs, and our in-office 3D printing capability typically means faster turnaround and lower cost than traditional lab-fabricated retainers. Dr. McCullum and the team are also happy to advise patients who received treatment elsewhere and need a new retainer going forward.
We commonly collaborate with other healthcare professionals to offer specialized care for complex dental cases and are committed to providing the best for your patients.
Clean your removable retainer daily with a soft toothbrush, avoid hot water to prevent warping, store it in its case when not in use, keep it away from pets, and bring it to every follow-up appointment for inspection. If it becomes damaged or doesn't fit properly, contact us immediately for a replacement.
We use digital scanning technology to create precise 3D models for better-fitting retainers, utilize durable materials that resist wear while maintaining clarity and comfort, and provide remote monitoring options so Dr. McCullum can check your retention progress without as many in-office visits.
Dr. McCullum creates personalized retention plans, but typically recommends full-time wear (20-22 hours daily) for the first 3-6 months, followed by nighttime wear, and continued maintenance wear several nights per week long-term. Following this plan is vital for maintaining your smile.
Dr. McCullum and the team at McCullum Orthodontics are here to help with any retainer concerns or check-ups. With over 14 years of experience and a commitment to personalized care, we ensure your retention phase is as successful as your treatment.
McCullum Orthodontics is conveniently located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, serving patients throughout southern Indiana and the greater Louisville area.
