Orthodontic Retention
Congratulations! You’ve completed your treatment, and your smile is beautiful. The most reliable way to keep your teeth straight and properly aligned is to continue wearing your retainers!
Though your active treatment has been completed, your teeth can still move. Teeth need time to adjust in their new positions. I can take two to three years for that to occur! If you discard, lose, or break your retainers, your teeth will be subject to the forces of your lips and tongue, which are powerful enough to move your teeth. In as short as one to three days without retainers, teeth may begin to move. The longer you hold the results of orthodontic treatment, the more likely they will remain in that position if retainer wear becomes less frequent. Even after your teeth are stable, they are still prone to move due to mesial drift (teeth shift toward the middle).
Types of Retainers
Retainers are custom-made and can be removable or fixed. Removable retainers are made from the impressions we take when braces are removed.
- Essix Retainers look similar to clear aligners and are the most aesthetic retainer. This clear retainer fits over the entire arch of your teeth.
- Hawley (wire) Retainers are the more traditional style retainers. They typically include a metal wire that surrounds the front teeth and is attached to an acrylic arch that is molded to the roof of the mouth.
- A Permanent (fixed) Retainer consists of a small wire bonded behind the teeth. When we place a permanent retainer, we also provide a removable retainer for full arch stability.
How do I care for my retainers?
Keep your retainer clean by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and water. You may also soak it in mouthwash or retainer cleaner. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher. Anytime your retainer is not in your mouth, it should be kept in the provided case so that it does not get lost or broken. Make sure to keep your retainers away from dogs – they love to chew retainers!
Retainer Insurance
We offer in-house Retainer Insurance to help offset the cost of replacement retainers, should they be lost, broken, eaten by the dog, or for any other reason. Retainer Insurance can be added at any time during treatment or up to 6 months after braces are removed.
At the completion of treatment, we take a digital scan of the teeth, and store it electronically until a new retainer is needed. Because we have a digital scan, it is especially helpful if the patient has limited availability to come to the office, or is away at school.
Please ask our team for details if you are interested in adding Retainer Insurance!
