Dental retainers at Lambton Dental
A retainer is the appliance that keeps teeth from drifting back after orthodontic treatment. At Lambton Dental in West Toronto we make custom clear removable retainers and bonded wire retainers, and we also replace worn or lost retainers even if the original braces or aligner treatment was done elsewhere.
What is a retainer?
A retainer is a custom appliance that holds teeth in their new position after orthodontic treatment has finished. Because teeth naturally tend to drift over the years if nothing supports them, retention is considered a permanent part of every straightening plan — not an optional add-on.
Two common styles are used: a clear removable retainer that looks similar to an Invisalign® tray and is worn on a set schedule, and a bonded wire retainer that sits behind the front teeth and is fixed in place. The dentist recommends the style — or combination — that fits your case, and can also make a replacement if your existing retainer has been lost, broken or has become discoloured with age. Retention is offered following our Invisalign® and braces treatment plans, and to patients who had orthodontic work elsewhere.
When a retainer is the right choice
A new or replacement retainer is a good idea when:
- You have just finished braces or clear aligner treatment and need to keep the teeth in place.
- Your previous retainer has cracked, warped, become loose or is lost.
- Your teeth are already starting to shift after finishing orthodontic treatment years ago and you would like to hold the position they are in now.
- A bonded wire retainer behind your front teeth has come loose and needs to be re-bonded or replaced.
- You grind at night and would benefit from a retainer that also protects the teeth (the dentist may combine retention with a nightguard).
If teeth have already shifted significantly, a short course of clear aligner treatment may be recommended first to bring the teeth back before the new retainer is made. The dentist reviews your options and gives you a written plan.
What to expect when a retainer is made
Assessment
The dentist checks the position of your teeth, your gum health and the fit of any current retainer, and reviews which style would suit your case.
Digital scan
A quick 3D scan of your teeth is taken instead of putty impressions, so the records are accurate and comfortable.
Retainer choice
You choose between a clear removable retainer, a bonded wire retainer or a combination, guided by the dentist's recommendation for your case.
Fabrication
The retainer is made from your scan by a dental laboratory and is usually ready within a couple of weeks.
Fitting
At the fitting visit the dentist checks the fit, adjusts as needed and explains how to wear, clean and store the retainer.
Follow-up
The dentist checks your retainer at your regular recall visits and replaces or repairs it if it begins to wear out.
If your retainer feels tight, loose or uncomfortable at any point, please call the office and we will fit you in for a quick adjustment.
How to care for your retainer long term
Clear removable retainers should be rinsed after each wear and gently cleaned with a soft brush and a mild non-abrasive cleaner. Toothpaste can scratch the plastic and dull the finish, so a dedicated retainer cleaner is worth using. Keep the retainer in its case whenever it is out of your mouth — most retainers are lost by being wrapped in a napkin at a restaurant.
Bonded wire retainers behind the front teeth are cleaned with floss threaders or a small interdental brush. The dentist and hygienist check the bond at each recall visit. Retainers usually need to be replaced every few years as the plastic ages and clarity fades, and it is far cheaper to replace a retainer than to redo orthodontic treatment because the teeth have drifted.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of a retainer depends on the style — clear removable, bonded wire or a combination — and whether one or both arches need to be made. The dentist provides a written estimate at the assessment before the retainer is ordered.
Some Canadian dental insurance plans cover retainer fabrication under an orthodontic maximum, particularly when it is part of a full braces or aligner case. Replacement retainers are sometimes covered under basic dental services. We submit a predetermination electronically so you know what your plan will pay. Lambton Dental is also a provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP); coverage depends on your eligibility.
Our payment options page explains billing openly.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why patients choose Lambton Dental for retainers
- Retainers are made from a digital scan for a precise fit, and the dentist checks and adjusts them at the fitting visit.
- We make replacements even if the original orthodontic treatment was done elsewhere.
- The dentist can combine retention with a nightguard for patients who grind at night.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major Canadian insurance carriers wherever your plan allows.
- Evening and weekend appointments make it easy to fit visits around work and school.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Related services
Frequently asked questions about retainers
How long do I need to wear my retainer?
Retention is considered indefinite, because teeth naturally tend to drift over the years. Most patients begin with full-time wear immediately after orthodontic treatment, then step down to nights only after a period the dentist reviews with them. Bonded wire retainers stay in place around the clock.
What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?
Teeth begin to shift back gradually, often over months to years. Small changes may only need a fresh retainer to hold the current position; larger shifts may require a short course of clear aligner treatment to bring the teeth back before a new retainer is fitted. The dentist can tell you which applies at an assessment visit.
My old retainer no longer fits — can I still get a new one?
Sometimes a new retainer can be made in the current position of your teeth so no further movement occurs. If the teeth have shifted significantly, the dentist may recommend a short course of aligner treatment first. Both options are reviewed with a written plan and cost estimate.
How do I clean a clear removable retainer?
Rinse it after each wear, brush gently with a soft toothbrush and a mild non-abrasive cleaner, and store it in its case whenever it is out of your mouth. Toothpaste is abrasive and can dull the plastic, so a dedicated retainer cleaner is worth using. Do not soak in hot water — heat warps the plastic.
How often should a retainer be replaced?
Clear removable retainers usually last two to three years before the plastic becomes dull, thin or loose. Bonded wire retainers can last many years but do need to be checked at each recall visit, and re-bonded or replaced if a bond fails. Replacing a retainer is far cheaper than repeating orthodontic treatment.
Can I have a bonded wire retainer if I also wear a removable one?
Yes. A common combination is a bonded wire behind the front teeth for constant support, paired with a clear removable retainer worn at night to protect the rest of the arch. The dentist will explain what suits your case at the assessment visit and provide a written estimate before anything is ordered.
Do you make retainers for patients who had braces elsewhere?
Yes. We regularly make replacement retainers for patients whose original orthodontic treatment was done at another office. Bring your current retainer if you still have it, and the dentist will assess your teeth, review your retention history and recommend the replacement option that suits your case.
Book a retainer assessment
Book online or call (416) 666-3700 to arrange a retainer assessment. The dentist will review the position of your teeth, discuss the retainer style that suits you and provide a written estimate before anything is ordered.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →