Retainer Rescue

Retainer trouble? Start here.

Understand common retainer problems, learn everyday care, and know when to contact your orthodontic team.

Find My Retainer SolutionMy Care Routine

Know your retainer

Three common types of retainers

Clear Retainers

Transparent, removable trays that fit over the teeth. Popular for being nearly invisible and easy to take out for meals.

A single transparent clear retainer for the upper teeth, shown from the front

Hawley Retainers

A classic acrylic plate with a wire. Adjustable by professionals and long-lasting, with an open design that is easy to clean.

A pink acrylic Hawley retainer with a metal wire across the front

Fixed Retainers

A thin wire bonded behind the teeth that stays in place. Low-maintenance to wear, but needs careful flossing to stay clean.

A thin wire bonded to the back of the upper front teeth

The Retainer Rescue tool

A simple, private way to find your next step

No account, no tracking, no chatbot. Answer two questions about your retainer and your concern, and get clear, predefined educational guidance — including a clear prompt to contact your orthodontic team when it matters.

  • Select your retainer type and your main concern.
  • Get tailored educational guidance, with a link to a matching care guide.
  • Know exactly when to stop and call your orthodontic team.
Try the tool

How it works

  1. 1Pick your retainer type — clear, Hawley, fixed, or unsure.
  2. 2Choose your concern — cleaning, odor, buildup, fit, damage, or lost.
  3. 3Read your tailored guidance and the recommendation to seek professional care when needed.

Retainer Help Tool

Tell us what's going on. We'll guide you to the next step.

Answer two quick questions. You'll get clear, predefined educational guidance — and a recommendation to contact your orthodontic team when it matters.

1. Which type of retainer do you have?

Inside the Retainer Lab

From impression to retainer

Five steps show how a retainer is made. Original photographs and short videos are being prepared for each one.

Visit the lab
  1. 1Dental impressions
  2. 2Preparing dental models
  3. 3Forming the clear retainer
  4. 4Trimming and finishing
  5. 5The completed retainer

Keep going

Come back whenever you need it

Bookmark the Help ToolSave it for the next time a retainer question comes up.Open Revisit your routineCheck off today's cleaning, storage, and damage checks.Open Explore care guidesPractical answers for odor, buildup, tightness, and breakage.Open Watch Inside the LabSee how a retainer is made, one step at a time.Open