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If you have crowns, veneers, implants or other dental work, you might be wondering whether a clear retainer is still an option for you. It is a common concern and a reasonable one. After all, dental work represents a significant investment and you do not want to risk damaging it.
The short answer is that in most cases, yes, you can wear a clear retainer with dental work. Here is what you need to know depending on the type of work you have had done.
Can You Wear a Retainer with Crowns?
Yes, in most cases. Clear retainers can accommodate dental crowns without issue. A crown replaces the outer surface of a tooth but the tooth itself remains in place, which means the retainer can be moulded to fit over it just as it would a natural tooth.
The main consideration is that the retainer needs to be made from impressions that capture the crown accurately. If you have recently had a crown placed, wait until the crown is fully settled and any sensitivity has resolved before taking impressions. Taking impressions over a newly placed crown can sometimes be uncomfortable.
If a crown changes the shape or height of a tooth significantly compared to what a previous retainer was made from, you will need new impressions rather than using an older retainer, as the fit may no longer be accurate.
Can You Wear a Retainer with Veneers?
Yes, with some care. Clear retainers can generally be worn over veneers, but there are a few things worth knowing.
Veneers are thin porcelain or composite shells bonded to the front surface of teeth. They are durable in everyday use but can be vulnerable to forces applied at certain angles. A well-fitted clear retainer that sits evenly over the veneer surface is generally fine. A poorly fitted retainer that creates uneven pressure on a veneer edge is more of a concern.
The most important thing is that your impressions accurately capture the current shape of your teeth including the veneers, so the retainer is made to fit correctly. If you had veneers placed after your last set of retainers was made, you will need new impressions as the tooth surfaces will have changed.
If you have veneers on your front teeth and are concerned, it is worth mentioning this when ordering so the dental team can review your case and advise accordingly.
Can You Wear a Retainer with Implants?
This one is more nuanced. A dental implant is a titanium post anchored directly into the jawbone with a crown on top. Unlike natural teeth, implants do not have a periodontal ligament, which means they cannot move. They are fixed rigidly in position.
This matters for retainers because a retainer is designed to fit a specific tooth arrangement. If an implant is present, the retainer needs to be made to accommodate the implant crown in its fixed position. As long as the impressions accurately capture the implant crown, a clear retainer can generally be made to fit around it.
The concern arises if the retainer applies force in a way that is transmitted to the implant differently than it would be to a natural tooth. For most retention purposes, the force involved is minimal and this is not a significant issue. However, if you have multiple implants or complex implant work, it is worth checking with your dentist or implant provider before ordering a retainer online.
Can You Wear a Retainer with Bridges?
Generally yes, though bridges present a slightly different consideration. A dental bridge spans a gap where one or more teeth are missing, anchored to the teeth on either side. The bridge itself is fixed and cannot move.
A clear retainer can be made to fit over a bridge as long as the impressions capture it accurately. The retainer will sit over the bridge surface and the natural teeth on either side. The main practical consideration is that taking impressions over a bridge requires care to ensure the impression material captures the full shape of the bridgework without distortion.
What to Tell Jawology When Ordering
When ordering your retainer through Jawology, it helps to note any significant dental work in your case. This allows the dental team reviewing your impressions to take it into account when assessing the fit and manufacturing your retainer.
In particular, mention:
- Any crowns, veneers, implants or bridges present
- Whether any dental work is recent, particularly in the last few months
- Any sensitivity or discomfort around dental work that might affect taking impressions
In most cases this information is simply noted and your retainer is made as normal. In some cases the dental team may recommend a different approach or suggest a clinic visit for a 3D scan rather than at-home impressions, for a more precise fit around complex dental work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a retainer damage my veneers?
A well-fitted clear retainer made from accurate impressions is unlikely to damage veneers in normal use. The concern would be a poorly fitting retainer that creates uneven pressure on veneer edges. Ensure your impressions capture your current tooth shape accurately, including any veneers, and the retainer will be made to fit correctly.
Can I wear a retainer after getting a crown?
Yes. Wait until the crown is fully settled and any post-procedure sensitivity has resolved before taking impressions. If the crown significantly changes the shape of the tooth compared to your previous retainer, new impressions are needed for an accurate fit.
Can I wear a retainer with an implant?
In most cases yes. A retainer can be made to accommodate an implant crown as long as the impressions capture it accurately. If you have multiple implants or complex implant work, checking with your dentist before ordering is recommended.
Do I need to tell Jawology about my dental work?
Yes, it is helpful to note any crowns, veneers, implants or bridges when ordering. This allows the dental team reviewing your impressions to take your dental work into account when assessing fit and manufacturing your retainer.
My veneers changed the shape of my teeth. Do I need new retainer impressions?
Yes. If veneers or any other dental work have changed the shape of your teeth since your last retainer was made, new impressions are needed. A retainer made from old impressions will not fit accurately over the new tooth surfaces.
How do I order a retainer with dental work present?
Order through Jawology as normal and note your dental work in the relevant field. You can use the at-home impression kit or visit a partner clinic for a 3D scan (approximately $100 to $150) for a more precise digital record, which is particularly useful if you have complex dental work. Retainers start from $149 per set.
Keep Your Smile Straight.
Order your custom Jawology clear retainer from $149. At-home impressions or 3D scan at a partner clinic.
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