Retainer Care Hub · Pet damage
My Dog Chewed My Retainer — What To Do
Dogs are drawn to retainers, and a chewed one is a common emergency. Here is what to do right now, what to avoid, and how to tell whether a chewed Hawley or acrylic retainer is worth repairing.
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What to do right now
- Get the retainer away from your dog and pick up every piece you can find — check the floor, bed, and couch. If you think your dog swallowed a piece, call your veterinarian.
- Stop wearing it until you have checked it closely.
- Rinse it in cool water, pat it dry, and put it and all the pieces in a hard case.
- Work out which type it is: a Hawley or acrylic retainer (hard plate plus wires), or a thin clear plastic tray.
- Take clear photos of the top (tongue side), the front, a close-up of the chewed area, and any loose pieces laid next to it.
- Call your dentist or orthodontist and ask how long you can safely go without it.
What not to do
- No glue. Super glue and other household glues are not made for use in the mouth, and they make a clean repair harder.
- Don't wear it if it's sharp, cracked through, has a bent or loose wire, or no longer fits.
- Don't bend wires back with pliers or your fingers, and don't file or sand chewed edges.
- Don't use hot or boiling water to "sanitize" it — heat can warp acrylic and plastic.
- Don't mail it anywhere yet. Send photos first so the repair can be confirmed.
Hawley or acrylic: repairable or time to replace?
Hawley and acrylic retainers are often repairable after a dog chews them, as long as enough of the retainer is left. Every retainer is different, so we confirm from your photos before you pay or ship.
| Often worth a repair check | Usually needs replacing |
|---|---|
| Bent or broken wire or clasp | Large sections of acrylic chewed away or missing |
| Chew marks or cracks in the acrylic, with the plate mostly intact | Wire snapped in several places with pieces missing |
| A piece broke off and you still have it | Plate crushed or warped so it no longer fits |
| Wire pulled loose from the acrylic | Most of the retainer is lost |
If it needs replacing, your dentist or orthodontist can make a new one and check your fit. See repair vs replace and lost or chewed retainer: repair or replace for more.
Clear plastic and bonded retainers
- Clear plastic (Essix-style, vacuum-formed) retainers and clear aligners: Smile Extension does not repair these. Contact the provider who made it about a replacement. More on clear retainers.
- Bonded (permanent) retainers are glued to your teeth, so a loose or broken one needs an in-person fix from your dentist or orthodontist. More on bonded retainers.
How mail-in repair works
- Photo check — text or email photos. We confirm whether we can repair it and which package fits.
- Pay the PayPal invoice — the repair doesn't start until it is paid.
- Prepaid UPS labels are emailed to you.
- Ship it in in a hard case, so it can't be crushed in transit.
- We sterilize and repair it in our lab. Lab turnaround is 10–12 days after we receive it.
- It ships back with UPS tracking.
Every package includes the repair plus prepaid UPS shipping both ways, from $99.35 (UPS Ground Saver) to $155 (Premium Bundle with faster shipping and a cleaner). See all retainer repair prices, read how repair by mail works, or see our retainer repair guides.
Send a clear photo for a repair check: text 657-566-1558 or email smilextechnologies@gmail.com. Include the front, back, and a close-up of the damage, plus the retainer type and what happened. Or use the quote form.
Pet-proof storage tips
- Case it every time it's out of your mouth — never on a nightstand, napkin, or couch cushion.
- Use a hard case and close the latch. A soft pouch or an open case is easy for a dog to get into.
- Store the case up high or in a closed drawer or cabinet, not at dog height.
- Don't leave it in a bag on the floor. Dogs dig into backpacks and purses.
- Never wrap it in a napkin. It ends up in the trash, and dogs dig through trash.
- Make it a household rule, especially for kids with retainers at mealtimes.
More habits on the retainer storage page. Want it on paper? The Retainer Emergency Kit Checklist is a 2-page printable for $4.
Quick answers
Can a retainer my dog chewed be repaired?
Often, if it is a Hawley or acrylic retainer and enough of it is left. Send photos of the top, the front, and the damaged area, and we confirm whether it is repairable before you pay or ship.
Can I still wear a retainer my dog chewed?
Not if it has sharp or rough edges, a crack that goes all the way through, a bent or loose wire, or it no longer fits. Ask your dentist or orthodontist how long you can safely go without it.
Should I glue a chewed retainer back together?
No. Household glue is not made for use in the mouth, and it makes a clean repair harder. Keep every piece in the case instead.
Do you repair clear retainers or aligners a dog chewed?
No. Smile Extension does not repair clear aligners or clear plastic (Essix-style, vacuum-formed) retainers. Contact the provider who made it about a replacement.
How long does a mail-in retainer repair take?
Lab turnaround is 10–12 days after we receive your retainer, plus shipping each way. Packages include prepaid UPS shipping both ways, from $99.35.
Smile Extension provides mail-order appliance repair, not diagnosis or dental care. If something is painful, injured, or your bite or fit has changed, contact your dentist or orthodontist first.
General care information only — not medical or dental advice. If your retainer no longer fits, hurts, or your teeth feel like they are moving, contact the dental professional who provided it.
Dog chewed a Hawley or acrylic retainer?
Send a clear photo for a repair check. Packages start at $99.35 with shipping both ways.