# What if my retainer is lost or broken?

Publisher: Virtual Consultant Online
Published: 2026-05-24
Updated: 2026-05-24
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Contact your provider quickly because teeth can move when retainers are not worn. A replacement may need a scan, impression or repair, depending on the retainer type. Do not try to bond a broken fixed retainer back on yourself, and avoid wearing a damaged removable one if it has sharp edges. If it will be a few days before you can be seen, ask whether the practice can offer interim advice or a quick-turnaround replacement.

This answer is informational and does not replace a full clinical examination by a dentist or orthodontist.