Lost or Broken Retainer: What Should You Do Next?

Contact the clinician responsible for your retention plan promptly if a retainer is lost, broken or no longer fits. Do not wait for a routine check-up or try to make a replacement yourself. The appropriate next step depends on the appliance and your teeth.

Tell the team what has happened

Explain whether you have a removable tray, a wire-and-acrylic retainer or a fixed wire behind the teeth. Say when you last wore it normally and whether there is pain, a sharp edge or an obvious change in tooth position. Nationwide Children's Hospital's retainer guidance recommends contacting the orthodontic team when a retainer is lost, damaged or no longer fits.

Keep a damaged removable appliance in its case and bring it to the assessment. Do not glue, heat, bend or file it. If a fixed wire is loose, ask for advice rather than pulling it off or attempting to rebond it.

Questions for the appointment

• Should I wear any existing spare appliance while waiting?
• Does the retainer need repair, replacement or a new assessment of tooth position?
• Are new scans or impressions needed?
• What will the examination and replacement cost?
• When will the fit be checked, and what wear instructions should I follow?

An old spare is not automatically suitable. Describe what you have and follow the treating clinician's advice. A new appliance also should not be assumed to reverse any movement that has already occurred.

If your original clinician is elsewhere

Ask how to arrange an assessment and transfer relevant records. Bring information about the previous treatment and retention instructions if available. Our retainers page explains the local service context; contact the practice to discuss your situation and appointment availability.

Seek prompt professional advice for an appliance causing injury or significant discomfort. This guide does not set a universal number of days that it is safe to go without a retainer.