(715) 538-1800 [email protected] 36220 Tower Dr, Whitehall, WI 54773, USA
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Retainers in Wisconsin

— protect your orthodontic results for life.
Teeth never stop wanting to shift — and without a retainer, they will. Whether you’ve just finished treatment or haven’t worn your retainer in years, we can get you fitted quickly and protect the smile you worked so hard for.

Same-week retainer appointments available in our local office

"My retainer broke / I lost my retainer — what do I do?"

If you've lost or broken your retainer — even if it's been months or years — the most important thing is to get a replacement as soon as possible. Teeth begin shifting almost immediately without retention, and the longer you wait, the more movement occurs. In many cases, a new retainer can still fit if movement has been minor. If significant shifting has occurred, Invisalign retreatment may be a faster solution than you expect.

Don’t wait — call us today. We can often see lost/broken retainer patients within the same week.

A woman holding a clear retainer, shown alongside a retainer case and a consultation
Retention Varieties

Three Custom Structural Approaches

Clear (Essix) retainer

Transparent plastic tray fitting snugly over your teeth — similar to an Invisalign aligner. Most commonly provided retainer today. Nearly invisible when worn. Removable for eating and brushing. Lifespan: 1–3 years with proper care.

Hawley retainer

Acrylic plate with a wire running across the front teeth. Durable, adjustable, and long-lasting. More visible than clear retainers but easier to repair and typically lasts longer. Good for patients prone to losing or breaking clear retainers.

Fixed (bonded) retainer

Thin wire bonded to the back surfaces of the front teeth — permanent and invisible from the outside. No compliance required. Best for patients with history of significant relapse or high risk of shifting. Requires extra care when flossing.

The honest answer: forever — but it gets easier

Teeth never fully stop shifting — they move throughout life due to natural forces. After the first 1–2 years of nightly wear, most patients transition to a few nights per week and find it very manageable. A retainer worn a few nights a week is far easier than Invisalign again at 45.

Standard Wear Schedule

First 3–6 months: Full-time wear (except eating/brushing

Months 6–12: Nightly wear transitions
After Year 1: Most patients wear 3–5 nights per week
Long-Term: 2–3 nights per week maintains long-term alignment stability

Fast, affordable retainer services — new patients and replacement retainers welcome

Quick turnaround

Digital scans or impressions taken at your appointment — retainers fabricated and delivered quickly. We understand time matters when teeth are shifting.

New patients welcome

You don't need to have done your orthodontic treatment here. We provide replacement retainers for patients from any orthodontist or previous dental office.

All retainer types

Clear Essix, Hawley, and fixed bonded retainers — we offer all three and help you choose the right type for your situation.

Real Patient Feedback

Google reviews

Trusted by local families

4.6 ★★★★★ Google
Don Merlin
Don Merlin6 years ago
★★★★★

I needed an emergency tooth extraction and Dr. Mathews was able to get me in within a couple of hours. The office…

Brian Matthews
Brian Matthews8 years ago
★★★★★

Great team and always a great experience!

Bonnie Kindschy
Bonnie Kindschy7 years ago
★★★★★

excellent. Helped in a pinch.

Jim Maaske
Jim Maaske9 years ago
★★★★★

Always very helpful and informative. They take Ashley's insurance, and they definitely do good work.

Jerome Hamilton
Jerome Hamilton12 years ago
★★★★★

While residing in La Crosse, Wisconsin, my family's dentist was Dr. Jeff Matthews of Matthews Family Dental in Whitehall. Although the drive…

curtis murdock
curtis murdock6 years ago
★★★★★

I'm from out of town. I had a dental issue that needed to be taken care of ASAP. I called Dr. Matthews…

Kimberly Carver
Kimberly Carver6 years ago
★★★★★

My family and I, have been seeing, Dr Matthew's and his AMAZING staff for the last 15 years PLUS… I have seen…

MJ Vang
MJ Vang10 years ago
★★★★★

My husband, our daughter, and I have always came here when we were still residing in Whitehall, WI. Dr. Matthews have always…

Lisa Hass
Lisa Hass4 years ago
★★★★★

Our whole family is seen by Dr. Matthews! Nothing but good things to say about him, his team and our dental work!

Erika Layland
Erika Layland9 years ago
★★★★★

Matthews Family Dental is great! My kids have gotten BRACES from Dr. Matthews and their smiles are looking great!

Steve
Steve6 years ago
★★★★★

Great professional service and really nice people! I would recommend it to my friends.

Brandi Anderson
Brandi Anderson8 years ago
★★★★★

The staff is incredible. Very clean and up to date facility! Great asset to Whitehall!

Frequently Asked Retainer Questions
Clear (Essix) retainers typically last 1–3 years with proper care. Hawley retainers can last 5–10 years or longer. Fixed bonded retainers can remain in place for many years but may need occasional repair. We check your retainer's condition at your regular recall appointments.
 
If shifting is minor, a new retainer may still fit and hold or slightly reverse the movement. If shifting is significant, Invisalign retreatment is often faster than expected — many post-braces relapse cases resolve in 6–12 months. We assess the degree of movement and give honest options.
 
Clear retainers: rinse with cool water after removal, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and soak in retainer cleaning solution weekly. Avoid hot water — it warps the plastic. Hawley retainers: brush daily and soak in denture cleaner. Full care instructions are provided with every retainer.
 
Yes — we welcome new patients for retainer services. We take impressions or a digital scan and fabricate a custom retainer matched to your current tooth position. No records from your previous orthodontist are needed.

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Related services

Invisalign

If your teeth have shifted significantly since past braces, minor Invisalign retreatment may be the best path to restoring your results.

Comprehensive exam

If you haven’t been to a dentist in a while, combining a comprehensive exam alongside your retainer appointment is a smart, preventive step.

Early orthodontics

For children finishing early interceptive therapies, long-term retainers form a critical component of the transition design phase.