You've Worked Hard for Your Beautiful Smile. Keep It That Way!
Finally, your braces have been removed and your smile is beautiful, straight, and best of all, metal-free! However, your orthodontic journey isn't quite completed. To keep your smile looking its best, you'll have to wear a retainer to preserve and stabilize your results. Retainers are needed to control or limit potential changes in tooth position. They are used after braces treatment to hold teeth in their correct alignment while the surrounding gums, bone, and muscle adjust to the new positioning of your teeth.
Types of Retainers
Retainers are custom-made and can be removable or fixed.
- Traditional removable retainers typically include a metal wire that surrounds the front teeth and is attached to an acrylic arch that sits in the roof of the mouth. The metal wires can be adjusted to finish treatment and continue minor movement of the front teeth as needed.
- Aligner-style retainers, or Essix retainers, look similar to clear aligners and offer a more aesthetic alternative to wire retainers. This clear retainer may fit over the entire arch of your teeth, or only from canine to canine (clip-on retainer). It is produced from a mold of your newly aligned teeth.
- Fixed retainers consist of wires bonded behind the bottom and/or top teeth. While the device is usually required no more than a year after wisdom teeth have been extracted, it is often kept in place for life.
Pros and Cons
- Removable retainers can be taken out for eating and hygiene routines.
- Removable retainers can get lost easily, so remember to keep yours in the case whenever you remove it to eat or brush.
- A fixed retainer is great if you don't want to keep track of it, or if you don't want to worry about how many hours per day it must be worn.
- Teeth with fixed retainers require a little extra attention to remove tartar while flossing. Patients with fixed retainers often must use floss threaders to pass dental floss through the small spaces between the retainer and the teeth.
Orthodontic Retention Reviews
The best experience with a healthcare professional I've ever had, by far. My old permanent retainer broke so I stopped in to see what could be done and they completely exceeded my expectations. John was friendly, understanding, generous and caring. It made my day.
My daughter's permanent retainer was broken. When I called, she was put on schedule within the same week. Everyone was super nice and friendly there. They always smile when we face them. Dr. Duthie was very genuine, patient, and provided professional help. She was given a new retainer right after fitting. My daughter said she likes them and their service. She will definitely visit them again if needed.
Came in to have a permanent retainer fixed and to get impressions for a retainer of my upper teeth. They were able to squeeze me in and make it all happen within an hour. Everyone at the office, from doctor to tech to secretary was incredibly lovely and extremely attentive. Very, very happy with the service. Would definitely recommend!
everyone who greeted me was super warm and the office is sunny and decorated nicely. John is honest and patient with questions. Tina did a great job creating retainers for me - had my retainers ready same day she took the molds which saved me a drive. prices and timing for treatment is better than other consultations i received. :)
I was a new patient requiring emergency assistance with a broken permanent retainer. Duthie orthodontics called me back when they had availability and took me when no one else in a 40 mile radius would. Dr. Duthie had a lovely bedside manner and was prompt in tending to me. The work was phenomenal and this was the best orthodontic experience I've ever had. I almost wish I had lived here while I did invisalign so that Dr. Duthie could've been my ortho!
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5
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