Dental Services : Orthodontics : Retainers

Retainers

After active orthodontic treatment is completed, most patients will need to wear a retainer for a thereafter or a period of time. An orthodontic retainer is a device that is used to keep teeth in their new positions after braces or clear aligner treatment.

retention appliance

Retainers

Keep your teeth in position post orthodontic treatment. Consult our orthodontist on any questions or concerns.

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Fixed versus Removable Retainers

Fixed 

Advantages

  • fixed appliances are attached to the inner side of teeth so it is non-visible, more cosmetic and less intrusive

Disadvantage

  • more difficult to clean and maintain

Removable 

Advantages

  • removable for better comfort and ease of eating and cleaning
  • for Hawley appliances, does not cover the chewing surface of the teeth

Disadvantages

  • plastic is delicate and if mishandled can easily break.
  • it may not be recommended if there is a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth
  • less bulky as they are made of translucent plastic
  • they easier to lose or forgotten to be worn

Types of Retaining Appliances

hawley retainers

Hawley Retainers

The Hawley appliance has a metal wire that goes around the front of your teeth and is held by a strong acrylic material that goes against your palate. Many orthodontists may recommend the Hawley appliance as it is effective and adjustable that can be used to refine alignment of teeth.

Essix clear retainers

Essix or Clear Retainers

The Essix trays looks like a clear aligner used to hugs teeth all around the arch. Essix aligners are fairly unnoticeable and will need to be cared and inspected regularly as they can develop cracks and be distorted if exposed to heat. Vivera trays are clear retention appliances by invisalign. 

fixed retainers

Fixed Retainers

Permanent retaining appliances are bonded to the back of your teeth and are fixed without the need to remove them daily. Fixed appliances will require proper brushing and flossing. However being bonded, they are effective as it is consistently worn.

Orthodontics

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Procedure for Retainer Treatment

  1. Teeth Impression Taken
    • After completing your orthodontic braces, your dentist removes the brackets or buttons off
    • Teeth impression is taken and sent to the dental lab
  2. Collect and check retention appliance
    • If a fixed retainer is opted, your dentist fits this on
    • If a removable retainer is opted, your dentist does a quick check on its fitting
    • Post care instruction is given, it is important that you wear your retainers as instructed by your dentist to prevent your shifted teeth positioning from relapse

Recovery Expectations

You are able to use your retention appliance and go about your normal routine. 

Care for Retainers

For removable retainers

  1. When taken off, rinse them well with warm water. Never use hot water as they can become distorted.
  2. Soak them in a cleaning solution at least once a day, following package instructions. Do not soak them longer than necessary and never overnight or all day. Rinse well after soaking.
  3. Occasionally, use a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush to brush the removable aligner thoroughly.
  4. Attend routine dental check up every 6 months and bring along your device

For fixed retainers

  1. Brush over your retainer in a vertical direction with your toothbrush.
  2. To clean between teeth, “Superfloss” is recommended
  3. Attend routine dental check up every 6 months to have teeth cleaned and fixed retainers checked

Types of Braces

Metal Braces
metal braces
Clear Braces
clear braces
Self-Ligating Braces
Speed braces
Invisalign
thailand invisalign
Lingual Braces
lingual braces
Retainers
retention appliance

Other Related Orthodontic Treatments

Jaw Surgery
jaw surgery
Braces for Adults
braces for adults

Conclusion to Retainers

Retainers is a required appliances worn after metal braces, clear braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces or invisalign treatment is removed. The retaining appliance keeps shifted teeth positions in place and may be fixed or removal. Material constructs may be made from metal or plastic. There are many brands of retainers, the systems offered at BIDC include fixed Hawley, Essix retainers and vivera by invisalign

After the removal of brackets for fixed braces or buttons for invisalign. Tooth impression is taken and your retainers collected a few days thereafter.  

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