“How can I tighten my retainer at home?”

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“How can I tighten my retainer at home?”

I am a 20 year old male. I want to know how can I tighten my retainer at home?

8 Answers

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**Dr. Pat Brown** Orthodontist Boston, MA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Pat Brown Orthodontist Boston, MA

It is not suggested that you tighten your own retainer as you may cause yourself problems Or break the retainer

**Dr. Daniel Alexander Flores** Orthodontist Fallbrook, Escondido, CA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Daniel Alexander Flores Orthodontist Fallbrook, Escondido, CA

Please do not attempt to tighten your retainers at home. Please make an appointment with your orthodontist to have your retainers cleaned, checked, and adjusted as needed. Attempting to tighten or adjust your retainers at home may place adverse forces or remove retention stability on or from your teeth and cause them to move out of position.

Daniel A. Flores, DDS, MS

**Dr. Alan R. Heller** Orthodontist Laurel, MD · Accepted Answer

Dr. Alan R. Heller Orthodontist Laurel, MD

Not a good idea trying to do this yourself. See an orthodontist.

**Dr. Colin Gibson** Orthodontist Denver, CO · Accepted Answer

Dr. Colin Gibson Orthodontist Denver, CO

I don't think tightening your retainer at home is a good idea. If you do it incorrectly, your teeth could shift in undesirable ways. Your dentist or orthodontist will be happy to adjust/tighten your retainer for you at no cost (most likely).

Thanks!

Dr. Colin Gibson

**John B. Harrison** Orthodontist Saint Petersburg, Largo, FL · Accepted Answer

John B. Harrison Orthodontist Saint Petersburg, Largo, FL

Please don't attempt! You need special pliers and exacting technique to adjust retainers plus knowledge of how much force each tooth needs to hold in place. Adjusting retainers is a learned professional skill.

**Dr. John Ballrick** Orthodontist Fairview Park, Ohio · Accepted Answer

Hello, I have had more patients ask these questions lately! I would highly recommend that you do not try to tighten your retainer at home. If you inadvertently put too much pressure in the wrong spot, your teeth will move. All teeth move in response to pressure. Orthodontists are trained to manage this pressure to guide teeth in to proper positions. If you adjust your own retainer in the wrong way, you may open spaces, cause rotations, or change your bite. All of which would require additional work to correct. I recommend that you call your orthodontist to schedule an appointment for a quick check. Good luck! Sincerely, John Ballrick

**Dr. Louis Paul Sterling** Dentist Staten Island, NY · Accepted Answer

Dr. Louis Paul Sterling Dentist Staten Island, NY

I would urge you NOT to attempt tightening your retainers at home. There is a specific instrument needed in addition to proper knowledge of how and where to adjust the retainer for maximum benefit.

**Dipti GP** Dentist Hyde Park, NY · Accepted Answer

Dipti GP Dentist Hyde Park, NY

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“How can I tighten my retainer at home?”

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Are implants better than bridges?

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