Retainers can crack in unexpected ways—maybe it snaps while you’re removing it, or you accidentally step on it after misplacing it. Perhaps your pet got hold of it, leaving it chewed and unusable. No matter how it happens, the result is the same: a cracked retainer that needs fixing. Here’s what you can do to handle the situation.
When you have a cracked retainer, it’s important to follow these steps to prevent your teeth from shifting. First, you should always keep a backup set on hand. The biggest defense against teeth shifting is preparing for the worst, and the worst is being unprotected from teeth shifting. You’ll want to have a backup set of retainers ready to wear when your first set is broken, lost, or gross. It’s essential to have another set ready because how to repair a broken retainer is not an easy or effective task.
If you are attempting the task of how to repair a cracked retainer you may be able to use dental glue. With cracks in the retainer or if there are any complete splits, you might be able to glue it back together. This is not recommended but if you try this make sure you have oral-safe glue for your mouth. Do not use anything else. If there are any sharp pieces of material or any that are irritating your gums or teeth, you can try and file those sections down with a nail file.
How to repair a cracked retainer is a nightmare, especially if you don’t have a backup set on hand. If the retainer is slightly cracked and you don’t have another set, you can try to wear the retainer depending on how bad the crack is. If it’s a slight crack, it still may provide some protection but it will need to be replaced immediately. The retainer might protect against major shifting, but your teeth may still have micro-movements.
Regardless of whether you can wear your cracked retainer, you should do one of two things. You can contact your dentist and see if they can fit you in for an appointment. You’ll likely need to wait a few weeks before there is an opening, or maybe even a few months. Once you do get to the dentist you may need X-rays or dental insurance and finally, the cost of getting replacement retainers can be a lot. Dentists typically charge between $450 and $1,100 for a replacement set. Depending on your location it can vary, but the larger the city, the bigger the price tag. If you do visit your dentist, ask for your teeth molds or your STL files. They should be free and you can do a lot with them!
Replace your lost, cracked, gross, and damaged dental retainers with a new one from SportingSmiles. Prevent your teeth from shifting using the most durable clear retainers available. Take your own impression at home and save hundreds over going to the dentist. Impression kit included.
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If you still want to know how to fix a cracked retainer there is another solution that is much more affordable than the dentist. SportingSmiles is an online dental lab that has been in business since 2009 crafting premium retainers for over one million people worldwide. These are the exact same retainers your dentist would craft but you receive them in a different way.
By ordering retainers from SportingSmiles, you’ll be sent the patented impression kit. With it, you’ll take easy-at-home impressions before shipping them back with free shipping to the SportingSmiles lab. Our expert dental lab techs will craft you premium retainers from those impressions and we can even keep those impressions digitally on file for life. That means you can reorder replacement retainers and not have to worry about how to repair a cracked retainer. You can also use your own molds or STL files from your dentist to receive retainers from SportingSmiles!
You can expand the lifespan of retainers by giving them daily cleanings and removing the bacteria from them. This will go a long way in helping preserve them but ultimately all retainers will wear down. When this happens they are no longer effective in preventing teeth from shifting and all the work you had done with Invisalign will be wasted.
Don’t let a cracked retainer ruin your smile. Keep a backup set on hand for emergencies and select a retainer provider like SportingSmiles when you need a new set. SportingSmiles has helped over one million people smile, are you next?
