Retainers are one of the most important parts of orthodontics!
We know you’re excited about your new smile, but remember: whether you used braces or clear aligners, your journey isn’t over yet. It takes time for your teeth to adjust to their new positioning, and you must use a retainer to help maintain the beautiful smile you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Orthodontic retainers stabilize your teeth and allow the surrounding bone, gums, and muscles to adapt to your adjusted bite.
Without an orthodontic retainer, your teeth may shift back toward their original positions, so it’s imperative to begin the retention stage of your treatment as soon as your braces are removed or you’ve completed your series of aligners. Don’t worry – we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about retainers, including the different types you and your family can choose from to protect the amazing results of your orthodontic treatment!
What is a Retainer and What Does It Do For Teeth?
A retainer is a custom-made dental device molded to fit over your teeth and maintain the newly corrected alignment of your bite after orthodontic treatment is complete. Similar to how your braces or aligners successfully shifted your teeth, retainers apply constant, gentle pressure, preventing your teeth from moving while your gums, bones, and muscles adjust to their new, straighter positions. Just like our other orthodontic treatments, your retainer treatment will be unique to your needs.
Depending on Dr. Brian’s or Dr. Steve’s recommendation, you will wear a bonded or removable retainer during your retention phase. We often use a combination of both to ensure that you keep your amazing smile! Removable retainers are generally worn at night, although some situations may require more frequent wear.
Types of Retainers Available At Straight Smile Studio
We offer several kinds of retainers for patients after they’ve completed their orthodontic treatment plan.
The two main types of retainers we offer are:
- Fixed (Permanent) Retainers: This type of retainer uses a bonding agent to attach directly on your front, lower, or upper teeth, preventing them from moving over time. These retainers work with your removable retainers to keep your teeth in the proper positions.
- Removable Retainers: As opposed to fixed retainers, this type of retainer is removable so you can take it out when necessary to eat or brush your teeth. Conventional Hawley retainers use a wire component affixed to a plastic or acrylic mold, while Clear Essix retainers are made entirely of plastic and do not require wires. These retainers are the gold-standard in protecting your smile!
Every patient is unique, and Dr. Brian and Dr. Steve will work with you to build the best possible retainer plan to protect your amazing smile. Whichever option you choose, consistent use is essential as it ensures the longevity of your straightened teeth.
At Straight Smile Studio, we offer the following types of retainers:
Hawley Retainer
A Hawley retainer, also known as a wire or metal retainer, is one of the most common types of retainers for post-orthodontic treatment. This removable retainer is crafted from a thin, tongue-shaped piece of acrylic, molded to fit the contours of your mouth, with a wire component that holds your teeth in their new positions.
The Hawley retainer’s durability, simplicity, and adjustability make it particularly practical for everyone, even allowing for minor corrections in tooth movements. However, because they’re removable, patients must adhere to the prescribed timelines for daily use to maintain the results of their treatment.
Essix Retainer
An Essix retainer is a transparent, removable device that looks similar to an Invisalign tray. These aligner-type retainers are made of thin, transparent plastic custom-made to fit your bite. Essix retainers are nearly invisible, are completely wireless, and very easy to remove for eating and brushing.
Vivera Retainer
Vivera retainers are manufactured by Invisalign. These clear, aligner-type plastic retainers are custom-made to fit your unique orthodontic structure using a laser scan of your mouth. Vivera retainers are a durable, reliable, long-lasting solution for maintaining tooth alignment.
Bonded Retainer (Permanent Retainer)
Our final option for patients is fixed retainers, also known as bonded retainers, which are an ideal option for maintaining lower front teeth alignment. Although they are permanent, they are practically invisible because they use a wire that’s bonded directly to the tongue-side of the teeth, similar to lingual braces. Typically, bonded retainers are perfect for stabilizing the alignments of patients with a high risk of tooth movement post-treatment.
Keep Your Teeth Straight With Retainers from Straight Smile Studio!
If you have any questions about the retainers we offer for post-orthodontic treatment, schedule a complimentary consultation online or contact us directly. Our team cares deeply about you and your family’s smile, and we want to ensure you are on the best path toward optimal, long-term dental health. We’re happy to walk you through a customized retention treatment plan to ensure you keep your new straight smile. Get in touch with us below!
We are happy to build a payment plan that offers affordable and interest-free monthly payments. You are also welcome to pay in full. We recognize that orthodontics is a significant financial investment, and we strive to make it a reality for as many people as possible.