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Retainers
Lost or broken retainers
What to do the day a retainer is lost or breaks, and why a week matters more than a month later.
Written by the team at Milk Orthodontics
Retainers get lost and occasionally break, and the fix is straightforward: message us that week and we make a new one from the scan we keep. What matters is speed. A few days without a retainer changes nothing; a few weeks in the first year lets teeth drift, and a replacement made after that may not fit.
What to do
| What happened | What to do |
|---|---|
| A removable retainer is lost | Message us today. If you have an older one that still fits, wear it meanwhile. We make a new one from your scan, usually within a week or two. |
| A clear retainer has cracked | A hairline crack at the edge can be worn until the replacement arrives. A split across a tooth means it is no longer holding; message us and wear an older one if you have it. |
| A wire retainer has bent | Do not bend it back. Wear it if it still seats without forcing; if not, message us. |
| A bonded retainer has come loose on one tooth | Keep the wire in. Wear your removable retainer full time and message us; it needs re-gluing within a couple of weeks. |
| A bonded retainer has come off completely | Keep it. Wear the removable retainer full time and message us. |
| The retainer no longer fits after a long gap | Do not force it. Message us. Teeth may have moved a little; a short course of aligners or a new retainer will sort it. |
Why the first year is different
In the year after braces the bone around each tooth is still soft and the gum fibres are still pulling. A retainer left off for a fortnight in that year can leave teeth that no longer fit it. Later, the same fortnight makes little difference. Either way, the answer is the same: tell us straight away.
Message us if
- Any retainer is lost or broken, even if you have a spare on.
- Your teeth feel like they have moved.
- A replacement does not seat fully after a few days of wear.
Call us on (09)520 1880 or email hello@milkorthodontics.co.nz.
Tell us this week, not next month.
Last reviewed August 2026