Post-braces--clear retainer help

Question

ok, i have a clear retainer. it is not invisalign. it is my retainer for after i got my braces off. I only wear it at night. it looks like invisalign except it has plastic over the gums above my tongue. is is normal for it to get cracks in it? i read at night after i have my retainer in it and sometimes i chew on it, and now it has some cracks in it...

Answer 1

Yep. I do the same thing with mine. I had to get a replacement one because eventually i cracked it so hard it split!

Answer 2

you should have it changed right away. retainers with crack/ tears are no good.

you're not supposed to chew using your retainer. they're not meant to withstand occlusal forces, esp. if it's made of plastic.

Answer 3

I just got one. And the orthodontist told me that if I get ANY cracks to report to him immediately, as it may do damage.

If it isn't bad STOP biting it!

Answer 4

Just lay up on the chewing on it, eventually that'll ruin the retainers. It doesn't sound good that they have cracks in it. It could prevent them from keeping them in place.