Retainers, designed to protect your results.

Because a great smile isn’t just created — it’s maintained.

Orthodontic treatment doesn’t end when your aligners come off. That moment — the final reveal, the smile you worked toward — is the beginning of the retention phase. And the retention phase is what makes the result permanent.

Retainers are what hold everything in place. Without one, teeth don’t stay where treatment left them. They shift — gradually, quietly, and sometimes significantly — back toward where they started. A retainer isn’t optional aftercare. It’s the last step of treatment.

Whether you’re finishing treatment at ClearCut, need a replacement, or haven’t worn your retainer in a while — we’re here to help you protect what you’ve already built. No lectures. No judgment. Just a plan to keep your smile exactly where it belongs.

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Your teeth have a memory. Retainers are how you override it.

Teeth are held in place by periodontal ligaments — elastic tissues that, after orthodontic treatment, still retain some memory of where your teeth used to be. Without consistent retainer wear, those ligaments gradually pull teeth back toward their original position. It’s not a flaw in your treatment. It’s biology.

The shift can start within weeks of stopping retainer wear. In the first year after treatment, it’s most significant. Over time, the risk decreases, but it never fully disappears — which is why orthodontists recommend nightly retainer wear indefinitely.

The good news: retention is simple. A retainer worn consistently — even just at night — is enough to hold your smile in place for life. The investment you made in your teeth is worth protecting. Retainers are how you protect it.

Custom Vivera® retainers are built from a precise digital scan of your smile.

Clear Vivera® Retainers 

Custom-fabricated from a precise digital scan of your teeth, your Vivera® retainers are made from a thicker, stronger material than your aligners — engineered specifically for long-term retention. Nearly invisible, removable, and designed for comfortable nightly wear, they’re the standard choice for protecting your results after clear aligner treatment.

Replacement Retainers 

Lost, broken, or worn out? We create a new Vivera® retainer quickly — typically from a new digital scan to ensure the most accurate possible fit. The sooner you replace it, the less likely your teeth are to have shifted in the interim.

Retainers from Other Practices 

You don’t need to have been a ClearCut patient to get a retainer here. If your original treatment was done elsewhere, we can evaluate your current alignment and fabricate a custom retainer that fits your smile as it is today. (New patients: see the note below about your first visit.)

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Never been a ClearCut patient? Here’s how your first retainer visit works.

If you’ve never been seen at ClearCut before, we’ll need to see you in person before we can make your Vivera® retainers — regardless of where your original treatment was completed. Your first visit will be booked as a new patient appointment, which includes a brief exam with Dr. Skopek, a digital scan of your current alignment, any necessary records, and your health history forms through OrthoFi.

It’s a simple process that ensures your retainer fits your smile accurately and safely — while giving Dr. Skopek the clinical context to take good care of you going forward.

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Retention is part of the ROX® System. Not an afterthought.

At most practices, retention is a handoff — a retainer is made, instructions are given, and the relationship effectively ends. At ClearCut, it’s a continuation.

Every Vivera® retainer at ClearCut is fabricated from a precise digital scan — the same scanning technology used throughout your Invisalign® clear aligner treatment — ensuring a fit that’s accurate to the millimeter. Your retainer isn’t made from an impression tray. It’s made from a digital model of your exact tooth position.

And if you ever need a replacement — whether it’s been six months or six years — our team will assess your current alignment without judgment, fabricate a new retainer quickly, and make sure your smile is protected going forward. The goal isn’t to make you feel bad about what happened to your last retainer. It’s to make sure your smile is protected from here.

Whatever brought you here, we can help.

I lost my retainer.

It happens — and the most important thing is not how it happened but how quickly you replace it. Teeth can begin to shift within weeks of stopping retainer wear. The sooner you come in, the simpler the fix. No explanation required. We’ll scan your smile, fabricate a new retainer, and get you back on track — usually within a few days.

My retainer broke or cracked.

A damaged retainer may still look like it fits, but cracks or warping can significantly reduce its effectiveness without being obvious. Don’t wait to see if it still works — bring it in. We’ll assess whether it needs to be replaced, and make sure your smile doesn’t shift in the meantime.

My retainer feels tight.

A tight retainer is one of the most common signs that teeth have started to shift since you last wore it consistently. It can feel alarming, but a tight fit doesn’t necessarily mean your treatment has been undone. In many cases, wearing the retainer consistently for a period of time can help teeth settle back into position. Come in for an evaluation before assuming the worst.

I stopped wearing my retainer a while ago.

You’re not alone — and you’re not in trouble for coming back. This is the most common situation we see. Depending on how long it’s been and how much shifting has occurred, we may be able to simply fabricate a new retainer that fits your current alignment. In some cases, a brief touch-up phase of clear aligner treatment may be recommended. Either way, coming in is always the right first step. We’ll tell you honestly what we see and what your options are.

I finished treatment elsewhere and need a retainer. 

You don’t need to have been a ClearCut patient to get a retainer here. We accept patients from any practice for retainer fabrication, replacement, or evaluation. If it’s your first visit with us, we’ll see you as a new patient (a quick exam, scan, and health history), then fabricate a retainer that fits your smile as it is today — with the same precision and quality as any ClearCut patient.

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From your first visit to your finished retainer, here’s exactly what happens.

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Step 1 — A conversation, not a lecture.

Your first visit begins with a brief, judgment-free evaluation of your current alignment — where your teeth are now, how they compare to where treatment left them, and what your options are. Dr. Skopek or a team member walks you through what they see in plain language. No clinical jargon. No pressure. Just clarity.

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Step 2 — A precise digital scan.

If a retainer is recommended, we take a precise digital scan of your teeth — the same scanning technology used throughout clear aligner treatment at ClearCut. No impression trays. No mess. A digital model of your exact tooth position, accurate to the millimeter, is used to fabricate your Vivera® retainer.

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Step 3 — Custom fabrication.

Your Vivera® retainer is fabricated from your digital scan — custom-made to fit your specific smile, not a standard template. Fabrication typically takes a few days.

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Step 4 — Fit, check, and guidance.

When your retainer is ready, we fit it, check the accuracy, and walk you through exactly how to wear and care for it for the long term. You leave with a retainer that fits perfectly and a clear plan to keep your smile protected going forward.

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What patients say when they finally come back in.

“I’d been putting it off for months because I was embarrassed I’d stopped wearing my retainer. The team was completely understanding — no judgment at all. I left with a new retainer and felt so relieved.”

— ClearCut Patient

“I lost my Invisalign® retainer, and I thought I needed to go back to my old dentist, who is located in a different state. Thanks to Dr. Skopek and ClearCut, I didn’t need to! They just scanned my teeth with iTero from Invisalign®, and that was it!” 

— ClearCut Patient

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The Midwest’s only Invisalign® clear aligner–exclusive practice. Including every phase of retention.

No exceptions.

Every Vivera® retainer at ClearCut is fabricated with the same precision that guided your original treatment — a digital scan, a custom fit, and oversight from a team that has spent thirty years specializing in clear aligner orthodontics.

Your smile is worth protecting. Retention is how you do it. And when you’re ready — whether it’s been a week or a year — we’re here.

Ready to protect your smile, or bring it back to where it should be?

Book a complimentary consultation. We'll evaluate your current alignment, walk you through your retainer options, and make sure you leave with a clear plan — and a retainer that fits.

No commitment. No pressure. No judgment about how long it's been.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Retainers

How long do I need to wear a retainer?

Full-time wear is typically recommended for the first few months after treatment, both day and night. After that, nightly wear is the standard long-term recommendation. The honest answer: indefinitely. Teeth shift throughout life, and a retainer worn consistently at night helps prevent that shift from affecting your results. Most patients find that nightly wear quickly becomes routine, like brushing their teeth.

What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?

Teeth begin to shift gradually back toward their original position. In the first year after treatment, this shift can happen relatively quickly — within weeks of stopping consistent wear. After several years of stable retention, the risk decreases but doesn’t disappear. If you’ve stopped wearing your retainer and are concerned about shifting, the best thing you can do is come in for an evaluation as soon as possible. Catching a shift early is almost always easier and less involved than addressing it later.

How often should retainers be replaced?

Vivera® retainers typically last two to five years with regular nightly wear, depending on how well they’re cared for. Signs it’s time to replace: cracks, cloudiness, warping, or a fit that feels different from before. If you’re unsure whether your current retainer is still doing its job, bring it in, and we can assess it and let you know. Most patients find a replacement appointment quick and straightforward.

Can I get a retainer if I didn't have treatment here?

Yes. You don’t need to have been a ClearCut patient to receive retainer care here. We accept patients from any practice for retainer fabrication, replacement, or alignment evaluation. If it’s your first visit with us, we’ll see you as a new patient — a brief exam with Dr. Skopek, a digital scan, and your health history forms — then fabricate a Vivera® retainer that fits your smile as it is today, with the same quality and precision as any patient who completed treatment with us.

What should I do if my retainer no longer fits?

Come in as soon as you can — but please don’t let the fear of what we’ll find stop you from making the appointment. A retainer that feels tight is a sign that some shifting has occurred, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your results have been undone. In many cases, wearing the retainer consistently for a period of time can help teeth settle back into place. In other cases, a new retainer or a brief touch-up phase of clear aligner treatment may be the right answer. We’ll evaluate your alignment honestly and walk you through every option. The worst outcome is waiting longer.

How long does it take to get a new retainer? 

Most replacement retainers are ready within a few days of your scan appointment. The process itself is straightforward: a brief evaluation, a digital scan, fabrication, and a fit appointment. Ask our team for the current timeline when you book.