Short answer? Maybe. Sometimes. It depends.

I really wish I could give you a simple yes or no on this one, but whether someone can wear Tooth Gems with a retainer depends on two big things:

• The type of retainer

• Where the Tooth Gems are placed

Some retainers work perfectly with Tooth Gems, while others require a bit more planning. Let’s go through each type and talk about what works, what does not, and what techs should watch out for during the consultation process.

When the Answer Is No

If someone is actively moving their teeth or currently working with a dentist or orthodontist on alignment, they are not a good candidate for Tooth Gems.

A good Tooth Gem set works with the anatomy of the client’s smile. If that anatomy is actively changing, the placement and fit of the gems can become problematic. We also never want to interfere with orthodontic treatment or anything a dental professional is actively correcting.

In this case, I always recommend waiting until treatment is complete before getting Tooth Gems.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about when Tooth Gems can work with retainers.

Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers, also called fixed retainers, are attached to the back of the teeth.

Clients with permanent retainers can absolutely get Tooth Gems. The main thing a tech needs to evaluate is the client’s bite to make sure the retainer or opposing teeth will not hit the gems when the client closes their mouth.

For example, if a client with an overbite wants gems on their lower teeth, the placement should be low enough that the upper teeth or upper retainer will not make contact with the gems. This is something that should already be checked during every consultation, whether the client has a retainer or not.

Hawley Retainers

Hawley retainers, also known as wire retainers, are usually worn at night and have a wire that runs across the front of the teeth. This does make Tooth Gem placement more limited, but definitely not impossible.

If a client has a Hawley retainer, I always recommend they bring it to the appointment. This allows the tech to test placement during the consultation and make sure:

• The retainer can still fit properly

• The wire will not knock the gem off

• The gem will not interfere with wear or comfort

If the client only wears a retainer on the top or bottom teeth, there may be more flexibility for placement depending on their bite and anatomy.

Long story short, Tooth Gems can absolutely work with wire retainers. Placement just needs a bit more planning.

Clear Retainers

Clear retainers, including Invisalign style retainers, are a little trickier.

As we already discussed, if the retainers are being used to actively move the teeth, the client should wait until treatment is complete before getting Tooth Gems. If the retainers are only being worn to maintain alignment, there are a couple options.

If the client only wears retainers on either the top or bottom teeth, Tooth Gems may still work depending on the client’s bite and tooth anatomy. This can be determined during the consultation.

If retainers are worn on both top and bottom teeth, the client can speak with their dentist or orthodontist about modifying the retainer to make room for a Tooth Gem. This is usually done by carefully trimming a small space into the retainer. I never recommend that a Tooth Gem tech modify a client’s retainer themselves. If done incorrectly, it could affect the fit of the retainer and potentially impact tooth alignment.

Once the retainer has been professionally modified, Tooth Gems can absolutely work as long as the gem fits comfortably within the adjusted space.

For a great example of a modified clear retainer, check out this post from Ziva Smiles Instagram. The photos below were also provided by Ziva Smiles.

Final Answer (TL;DR)

So, can you wear Tooth Gems with a retainer? Usually, yes, as long as:

1. The client is not actively moving their teeth

2. The Tooth Gems do not interfere with the retainer in any way

A good consultation is everything here. With proper planning and placement, many clients with retainers can still safely enjoy Tooth Gems.

If you need help mapping out placement or testing crystal sizes when working around a retainer, I highly recommend checking out the Tooth Gem Design Card and Size Guide. These two tools make the consultation process so much easier and help set both techs and clients up for a more successful result.

I hope this helps answer some questions and gives both clients and techs a better idea of what is possible.

Xoxo,
Katana