So your custom-fitted clear Essix dental retainer has cracked? That’s okay. While the Essix retainers are by far the most comfortable, non-intrusive retainer model, they can be somewhat prone to cracking or breaking. Proper care and maintenance will go a long way to keeping your teeth retainers durable and preventing them from yellowing and becoming brittle. With that being said, we understand that sometimes life just happens.
What Do You Do If Your Retainer Cracks or Breaks? Don’t panic!
Your teeth will not shift back to their pretreatment position right away. You do want to get a new retainer quickly though. Teeth have elastic memory, so if you leave it for too long without a retainer then they will begin to shift again.
Unfortunately, there is no way to repair Essix retainers
Thankfully, at SportingSmiles we keep your impressions on file for one year after your initial order. That way, we can offer you discounted replacement retainers without the hassle of taking a new impression.
If possible, continue to wear the retainer
Even if it is in two pieces, it will still serve to hold the teeth in place. Just be sure that there is no pinching of the gums or risk of swallowing a loose piece of the retainer in your sleep.
If this is the first time that you are ordering from us, check if you have your old dental mold
If you have a mold of your teeth, SportingSmiles can use the mold to make you a new retainer. In an emergency, this may be the best option. However, once the replacement arrives we still recommend taking a new impression. Getting a spare retainer set made is always a good idea. Your old dental model may also not be completely accurate anymore. Our self-impression kits make getting an updated dental mold a breeze.
Upgrade to Essix Plus
If you find that you regularly crack your retainers, or suffer from teeth grinding and wear through them, then you may want to try the Essix Plus retainers. The Plus material is 2x as durable as standard material. That means it is less likely to perish and crack over time.
Act Quickly
We have an expedited shipping option that will get your replacement to you as quickly as possible. If you need to take a new impression or do not have a dental model to hand, then you will definitely want to go with expedited shipping. That way we can get the impression kit to you before the teeth begin to shift.
Order a spare set
As soon as you receive your replacement set, it is a good idea to order a spare set. You may even want to order a spare set along with the replacement set. That way you can avoid the stress of being without a retainer. If your current set breaks or gets lost, you will be glad to have a spare set on hand. At SportingSmiles we keep all impressions on file for 1 year. You can reorder another pair at a discounted rate.
There you have it! If your teeth retainer has cracked, there is nothing to panic about. Just get in touch and we will do everything we can to get you a replacement set in time to preserve all that hard work that you’ve put into your smile.
If you have any questions at all about ordering a replacement retainer, feel free to reach out to our team at [email protected]
