Dr. Hall,
I had braces on my teeth and I have had the old type retainer for years (pink w/wire) and have worn it out. Can I use my plastic bleaching trays for retainers? I do not use my trays anymore and my teeth have not shifted in any way. I just hate to spend $300+ if these would work just as well.
- Janice from Tennessee
Dear Janice,
Bleaching trays can be used as retainers in some cases, depending on how well they fit and the forces that are tending to get your teeth to move. But I give that advice cautiously. I think you’d be best off with an orthodontic retainer made for that purpose. I am surprised that they are asking $300 for the orthodontic retainer. Those aren’t hard to make. A dentist just has to get a good impression of your teeth, pour up a model, and send that to a dental laboratory. I would think you could find a dentist who would do it for a lot less and you wouldn’t notice any difference in the quality.
Here’s what I would suggest, and I’m assuming that you are wearing these teeth bleaching trays faithfully every night – use the bleaching trays. But, over time, if you can sense any difference developing in how your bleaching trays fit, then go get the retainer made.
- Dr. Hall
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