Retainers
Maintain Your Progress
Your orthodontic treatment doesn’t stop when your braces come off! Retainers keep teeth in place so your new smile can last a lifetime.
After we remove your braces, we will take a new impression of your teeth. We use this mold to create a retainer made of either wire and acrylic or clear plastic (similar to a clear aligner). Sometimes we may suggest a fixed retainer, which permanently stays on the interior surface of your teeth.
How long do you have to wear a retainer? As long as you want to keep your teeth straight!
Failure to wear your retainers as instructed can result in teeth shifting back to their original positions. Retainers prevent this by putting pressure on the teeth to hold them in their new, straight positions.
~25%
of individuals who had braces will have to get braces a second time because they didn’t wear their retainer.
If you end up losing or breaking your retainer, give us a call so we can make you a new one. Your teeth start shifting sooner than you may expect without a retainer to keep them in place.
We have a retainer replacement program!
You can learn about our replacement program by asking our staff during your visit.
Essix Retainer
Very similar in appearance to a clear aligner, the Essix retainer is a clear, removable retainer. This retainer is made of a smooth, durable plastic material that is virtually invisible.
Hawley Retainers
The Hawley retainer is probably what comes to mind when you visualize a traditional retainer. It is made of a combination of wires and acrylic, which comfortably fits inside of the mouth. The acrylic on this retainer can be customized with different colors or patterns to fit your unique style.
Fixed Retainers
A fixed retainer stays in your mouth permanently, so you do not have to worry about remembering to wear your retainer for the prescribed duration daily. It is cemented to the inside surface of your front six teeth. It is still essential to make sure your fixed retainer stays clean by paying extra attention to the area the wires are attached to your teeth while brushing. If the wire on your fixed retainer ever breaks, call us as soon as possible to get it repaired.
