A retainer is a custom-made appliance you wear after clear aligner treatment. Your treatment doesn't end when your aligners do: teeth naturally try to move back, and your retainers are what keep them exactly where they are.
With BASMA, you wear your retainers 22 hours a day for the first month, 12 hours a day for the second month, then at least 8 hours every night, permanently. You replace your first set after 3 months, then every 6 months.
What is a retainer?
A retainer is a thin, clear tray made from your 3D scan to fit your teeth precisely. It looks and feels like the aligners you've just finished, so most patients adjust within a few days.
The difference is the material and the job it does. Aligners move your teeth step by step (how clear aligners work). Retainers are made from a different plastic that holds your teeth still while the bone and gums around them settle into the new position.
Why do teeth move back after aligners?
Teeth move back because the ligaments and gum fibers around them keep a "memory" of their old position. Those tissues take months to reorganize, and your teeth continue to shift naturally with age.
A Cochrane review of retention studies found that teeth commonly drift after treatment when there is no retention (Littlewood et al., 2016). A long-term study found lower front teeth continued to crowd 10 to 20 years after retainers were stopped (Little, Riedel & Årtun, 1988).
70% of cases we treat are relapse cases — often caused by not wearing or not replacing retainers on time.
Signs your teeth are starting to move:
- Crowding coming back, usually in the lower front teeth
- Small gaps reopening
- A tooth rotating slightly
- Your bite feeling different
- Your retainer feeling tight when you put it in
How long do you need to wear retainers?
You wear retainers in three phases, and the last phase is permanent. Follow this schedule to lock in your results:
| Phase | Wear time | Duration | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 22 hours/day | 1 month | Wear all day, removing only for eating and cleaning |
| Phase 2 | 12 hours/day | 1 month | Start gradually reducing wear time |
| Phase 3 | 8 hours minimum | Permanently | Nightly wear is essential — this phase is ongoing |
Why wear time matters:
- Teeth naturally try to move back after treatment.
- Skipping wear — even occasionally — can cause unwanted shifting.
- Consistent retainer wear is the only way to protect your results.
If you miss a few nights and your retainer feels tight, wear it again straight away and contact our Care Team. Don't force a retainer that won't seat.
How often should you replace your retainers?
Replace your first set of retainers after 3 months, then every 6 months. Retainers wear out and lose their shape over time.
- The first set of retainers should be replaced after 3 months. During the first 2 months, you wear them almost all day, so they wear out faster.
- After that, they must be replaced every 6 months to properly hold your teeth in place.
- Old retainers may feel fine but stop doing their job.
Daily wear and cleaning slowly stretch and thin the plastic. Grinding or clenching at night speeds this up. Replace your retainer straight away if it is cracked, warped or loose, whatever its age.
What is the BASMA retainer subscription?
The BASMA retainer subscription sends you a new set of retainers every 6 months, made from your stored 3D scan. You don't need a new scan or a reminder to reorder.
Our retainer subscription helps you:
- Replace retainers on time
- Reduce relapse risk
- Save compared to one-off replacements — save 34%
It suits you if you travel often, grind your teeth, or simply want one less thing to remember.
Clear removable vs fixed retainers: which is better?
We recommend a clear removable retainer because it holds all your teeth in place, not just the front 6–8 teeth a fixed retainer covers. Patients can choose either.
| Clear removable retainer | Fixed retainer | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Clear tray made from your 3D scan | Thin wire bonded behind the front teeth |
| Visibility | Nearly invisible | Hidden behind teeth |
| Wear | Phased schedule, then nightly | Works 24/7 |
| Coverage | Covers all teeth | Bonded to the front 6–8 teeth only |
| Cleaning | Remove and clean daily | Floss threaders or interdental brushes around the wire |
| Replacement | First after 3 months, then every 6 months | Checked at dental visits; repaired if the wire breaks |
| Best for | Most clear aligner patients | Cases with high risk of lower front teeth crowding |
How do you clean your retainers?
Cleaning your retainers is the same as during your aligner journey:
- Rinse with cool water every time you take your retainers out.
- Gently brush with a non-abrasive toothpaste or use the daily retainer cleaning tablets.
- Never use hot water. It can warp the plastic and ruin the fit.
- Keep them in their case when you're not wearing them — not in a napkin.
- Drink only water while wearing them.
Who needs a retainer after aligners?
You need one if: you've finished clear aligner or braces treatment. Retention is part of every orthodontic treatment plan, not an optional extra.
A retainer alone won't fix it if: your teeth have already moved noticeably. A retainer holds teeth; it can't reliably move them back. You'll need an assessment, and possibly refinements or a new treatment plan. Talk to us if you think you're teeth have already relapsed and want to discuss your options.
Expert note
Retention is lifelong for most patients. The biggest risk to your results isn't the retainer type — it's inconsistent wear and wearing a retainer past its lifespan. If a retainer stops fitting or breaks, get it checked rather than waiting to see if it settles.
How do you order BASMA retainers?
How you order depends on whether you've already had treatment with BASMA.
If you're an existing BASMA patient: we already have your 3D scan from treatment. Order your retainers or start your retainer subscription, and we make them from your stored scan — no new appointment needed.
If you're new to BASMA: if you finished treatment with another provider, buy your retainers and book an appointment at one of our partner clinics for a 3D scan. Your retainers are made from that scan to fit your teeth precisely.
Key takeaways
- Retainers hold your teeth in place after aligners; they don't move teeth.
- Wear them 22 hours/day for 1 month, 12 hours/day for 1 month, then at least 8 hours every night, permanently.
- Replace your first set after 3 months, then every 6 months.
- Clean with cool water — never hot.
- A tight or loose retainer is a reason to contact your Care Team.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need retainers after aligners? Yes. Without retainers, teeth commonly drift back toward their old position. Retainers are the only way to protect your results.
Can I stop wearing my retainers after a year? No. Phase 3 — at least 8 hours every night — is permanent, because teeth keep shifting naturally throughout life.
Are retainers the same as aligners? No. Aligners move your teeth into position. Retainers hold them there.
Do retainers hurt? No, but a new retainer can feel tight for the first few days and may change your speech slightly. A retainer that hurts, cracks or doesn't fit should be checked.
What should I do if my retainer feels tight or doesn't fit? It may mean your teeth have started to move. Keep wearing it if it seats fully, and contact our Care Team for an assessment.
What if I lose or break my retainer? Order a replacement straight away — every day without one gives teeth time to move. If you're on the subscription, your next set is made from your stored 3D scan.
Need help?
If your retainers feel loose, uncomfortable, or damaged, contact our Care Team anytime.
Keep your results. Shop BASMA retainers or start your retainer subscription and get a new set every 6 months.
Sources
- Littlewood SJ, Millett DT, Doubleday B, Bearn DR, Worthington HV. Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002283.pub3
- Little RM, Riedel RA, Årtun J. An evaluation of changes in mandibular anterior alignment from 10 to 20 years postretention. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 1988;93(5):423–428. doi:10.1016/0889-5406(88)90102-3