SmileDirectClub was the first company to deliver clear aligners directly to customers’ homes. Now, they’re the largest, most established brand in a booming home aligner industry, offering a more affordable, convenient alternative to in-office treatments like braces and Invisalign.
While SmileDirectClub’s procedures differ vastly from traditional orthodontics, what you do after treatment is pretty much the same. It’s up to you to maintain your new smile once you finish your aligner plan, and if you want your results to last a lifetime, you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in place.
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How Does SmileDirectClub Work?
Getting started with SmileDirectClub is easy. You can either order an impression kit through their website, get a free 3D teeth scan at one of their SmileShops, or schedule an appointment with one of their 1,500+ partner dentists. If you order an impression kit, you’ll need to take impressions of your teeth and send them back for SmileDirectClub’s team of dentists to review.
If you opt for a 3D scan, a dental professional will scan your teeth and take photos of your smile, then send those images straight to SmileDirectClub. The entire appointment only takes about 30 minutes, and there are over 300 SmileShops nationwide, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one near you.
Not everyone is a good fit for home aligners. Your impressions or 3D scan will help determine your candidacy for treatment. If you’re approved, SmileDirectClub will mail your custom aligners directly to your home, where you’ll complete treatment in about six months — no office visits required.
Why Do I Need a Retainer After SmileDirectClub?
To understand why retainers are so essential, you need to understand how clear aligners move your teeth. Aligners place pressure on teeth surfaces, and this force transfers through to their roots, which are planted in the jawbone and held in place by ligaments.
Over time, the ligaments loosen and the bone remodels. Once in place, the jawbone will start to solidify around the teeth. However, the ligaments will always want to pull the teeth back to their original positions.
Once any type of orthodontic treatment moves your teeth, they will always have a tendency to shift back.
Home aligners are one of the fastest teeth straightening treatments available, at just six months on average. Your smile can change dramatically during that short period, so your teeth will need time to stabilize in their new position.
Wearing a retainer is the only way to prevent your teeth from shifting once your treatment is complete.
SmileDirectClub is typically much less expensive than Invisalign or traditional braces, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. For the first year or so after SmileDirectClub treatment, your teeth will can shift rapidly without proper aftercare. Make sure your money isn’t going to waste by purchasing a retainer immediately after treatment.
Does SmileDirectClub Offer Retainers?
You’ll complete your SmileDirectClub treatment entirely from home, so you won’t have the same range of retainer options that orthodontic offices offer. If you want to purchase retainers through SmileDirectClub, there is only one option: clear removable retainers.
Most dentists and orthodontists offer clear retainers for about $100–$300, but SmileDirectClub’s cost just $125 per set. Clear retainers look and feel very similar to clear aligners and they’re customized to fit your teeth.
Dentists often recommend clear retainers after orthodontic treatment because they’re convenient to wear and provide full protection for your smile.
While other options only cover your front teeth, clear retainers cover all the teeth, including your back molars, so they protect your entire smile. SmileDirectClub recommends cleaning your retainer daily and replacing it every six months to maintain effectiveness. They also offer a subscription plan that automatically sends you new retainers every six months.
Are There Other Types of Retainers to Choose From?
Although SmileDirectClub only offers clear retainers, you can always visit your dentist for more options. They will likely offer both removable and permanent retainers and can help you decide which one is best for you.
There are two major types of removable retainers. We previously discussed the clear option, but most dentists also offer Hawley retainers. These appliances are made from plastic or acrylic and wire, and they’re customized to fit your teeth and palate. The wire sits on the front of the teeth, so Hawley retainers are the most visible retainer option. Still, they are very durable and often last 7–8 years before wearing out.
The average cost of a Hawley retainer is $200–$300. Hawley retainers are the oldest type of retainer and have a good reputation for keeping teeth in place after orthodontic treatment. However, if you’re looking for a retainer that you don’t have to remember to wear, a fixed one may be a perfect choice.
A fixed (or permanent) retainer is a small wire placed on the backs of your top and bottom front teeth. Fixed retainers are a great option because they’re always working, protecting your teeth from shifting 24/7. However, they’re tough to clean and maintain at first, as food and plaque can build up in hard-to-see places. Fixed retainers typically cost about $300–$500.
We recommend clear retainers immediately after SmileDirectClub treatment when your teeth are the most unstable. Once your new smile has stabilized, you can switch to a fixed retainer for a more convenient option if you’d prefer.
What Happens If I Don’t Wear My Retainer?
Removable retainers may be easier to maintain than fixed ones, but you have to remember to wear them. Nobody’s perfect, so you may be wondering what will happen if you forget to wear your retainer.
The first year after SmileDirectClub is the most critical time to wear your retainer. Your teeth will be fairly unstable at this point, so relapse is more likely. Go several days or weeks without wearing a retainer and your teeth could shift drastically. This is why most dentists and SmileDirectClub recommend you wear your retainer 22 hours per day for the first few months after treatment.
Once your teeth have had time to stabilize, they won’t shift as quickly and you can switch to wearing your retainers only at night. A clear retainer can actually correct very minor shifting if you forget to wear it for a few days, so it’s not the end of the world if you miss one or two nights.
How Long Will I Need To Wear a Retainer After SmileDirectClub?
You will need to wear your retainer in some capacity for the rest of your life. No orthodontic treatment is completely permanent, and your teeth can shift even years since you finished with SmileDirectClub treatment.
Once your removable retainers become loose or simply too easy to remove, they’re no longer effective. SmileDirectClub recommends ordering a new set of retainers every six months, but you’ll need to replace them sooner if they get damaged.
You’ll also need to replace fixed retainers occasionally to ensure they don’t become loose and ineffective. They’re very sturdy, but you should avoid especially crunchy or hard foods to prevent any serious damage. If you’re not sure your retainer is still working properly, your dentist can check the wire during your regular check-ups and let you know when it’s time for a replacement.
How to Get a New Set of Retainers
You have three potential sources for new retainers: SmileDirectClub, a dentist or orthodontist, or a company that specializes in online retainers.
There are pros and cons to each. With SmileDirectClub, you know the quality of the product you are getting, but their retainers only last about six months. Going to an orthodontist or dentist is expensive, but it gives you access to more types of retainers. Working with an online retainer company provides durable retainers, but you don’t get direct interaction with a doctor.
Ultimately, each option is valid, and you should choose the one that’s best for your goals and budget.
Want New Retainers at an Affordable Price?
Given how often retainers need to be replaced, it’s a good idea to save money whenever possible. We suggest using Sporting Smiles. As a mail-order service, Sporting Smiles makes it easy and affordable to get new retainers — all from the comfort of your home.
Final Thoughts
Your teeth will always have a tendency to shift after any orthodontic treatment, and SmileDirectClub is no exception. It may be even more crucial to wear retainers after such an expedited treatment. If you want the results from your SmileDirectClub treatment to last, you’ll have to commit to wearing a retainer. But that doesn’t mean it has to be inconvenient.
SmileDirectClub makes things easier by offering their retainers at a lower cost and with an optional subscription plan. If you’d like a different type of retainer, visit your dentist for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I need to wear my retainers all day?
You will gradually decrease the number of hours you wear your retainers per day. Most SmileDirectClub patients only need to wear them all day for the first several months before switching to overnight wear. This continues for a year or two, after which you can wear them every other night.
How often do I need to replace my retainers?
It depends on the type. SmileDirectClub suggests you replace theirs twice a year, while you’ll need to replace other types every 2 to 7 years.
How quickly will my teeth start to move if I don’t wear aligners?
This depends on how long it’s been since you finished treatment. Early on, even 12 hours can make a big difference. If you finished aligner treatment years ago, you could potentially go days or even weeks without retainers before you notice something has changed.
Can retainers damage my teeth?
Retainers that are well made and properly maintained should never harm your teeth. Make sure you get yours from a reputable provider and follow their care instructions.
Can my retainers get damaged?
Yes, usually by foods that are too hard, crunchy, or sticky. Heat can also hurt them, so keep removable retainers out of the heat and sun.
How do I clean my retainers?
This varies between retainer types. You can (and should) brush any of them with a regular toothbrush. If you get fixed retainers, you also need to floss around them. You should soak removable retainers occasionally, and Hawley retainers require extra brushing on the plastic or acrylic plate.
What if my retainer is too tight?
If it is a new retainer, it might just feel tight. Wait a day for your teeth to adjust. If it is an old retainer that feels tight, chances are you haven’t worn it in a while and your teeth are shifting.
Where should I put my retainers when I’m not wearing them?
Every time you remove them, put them in their protective case. Never place them where they can get damaged or lost, such as in pockets, bags, or napkins. Order extra cases online if you are worried about not having one with you at all times, and keep them in convenient locations.
How can online retainer companies make sure their products fit my teeth?
They use molds of your teeth, the same process as the initial impression kit. They’ll mail you putty and trays so you can take impressions of your teeth, then send them back to the company, who will use them to make retainers that perfectly fit your teeth.
Are mail-order retainers risky?
As with any product, we encourage you to do your research and verify that the companies you’re considering are legitimate and have lots of satisfied customers. Read reviews and investigate as much as you can before making your purchase.
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