Retainers in Naperville, Aurora, and Plainfield, IL
Congratulations! Your braces worked their magic, and now you have the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always dreamed of.
It’s an exciting moment, but your orthodontic journey isn’t over yet. Once your braces are removed, the retention phase begins. To ensure your smile stays as stunning as it is now, you’ll need to start wearing an orthodontic retainer to maintain correct alignment.
Retainers play a crucial role in preserving and stabilizing the results of your braces treatment. They are essential to keep your smile straight while the surrounding gums, bones, and muscles adjust to the new positioning of your teeth. It’s important to remain committed to your post-braces treatment and diligently wear your teeth retainer based on your orthodontist’s instructions. Make sure to keep your follow-up appointments so our team can check that your smile remains as beautiful and straight as you envisioned!
What is a Retainer and What Does It Do For Teeth?
A retainer is a custom-made dental device designed to snugly fit in your mouth over your teeth to help keep them in their new, correct position after braces. It might look unassuming, but its role is vital. After your braces have successfully straightened your teeth, they aren’t entirely set in their new positions just yet.
This is where retainers come in. Once your braces are removed, nothing is preventing your teeth from returning to their previous settings. Due to a natural process called mesial drift, that is why it is so important to diligently wear your retainers in order to “retain” the new alignment of your smile.
Braces may be the architects of your new smile, but retainers are the guardians. Even though slight changes in your tooth position occur naturally over time, retainers are the security that prevents your teeth from drifting back to their original spots. The journey to a perfect smile doesn’t end after your braces come off, but you can preserve your beautiful, straight smile by routinely wearing your retainer based on your orthodontist’s instructions.
There are two main types of retainers:
- Fixed retainers, also known as permanent retainers, are applied to the front, lower, or upper teeth with a bonding agent so they cannot be removed. They offer a long-term, hands-free way to safeguard your braces treatment. An orthodontist will expertly position a fixed retainer to your teeth to stabilize and align your smile. This permanent solution doesn’t require daily removal or the risk of accidentally misplacing it, so you can have peace of mind and optimal protection post-treatment.
- Removable retainers are a flexible alternative to fixed retainers, allowing you to take them in and out of your mouth as needed. The two most popular types of removable retainers are traditional (Hawley) retainers and clear (Essix) retainers. The main difference between the two types of removable retainers is that traditional retainers use wires, while clear retainers do not use wires.
Both fixed and removable retainers are designed to keep your teeth straight,
and you can choose to use a combination of both to maintain the alignment of your smile after braces.
Types We Offer At Pasha
Hawley Retainer
Traditional removable retainers, also known as Hawley retainers, consist of an acrylic arch (the plate) that sits on the roof of the mouth and metal wire that encircles the front teeth. An orthodontist may periodically adjust the metal wires on the retainer to correct minor movement. You should remove them while you eat or drink, during rigorous sports activities, or when you are doing your daily oral hygiene routine. Hawley retainers are adjustable and one of the most cost-effective post braces treatments because they are easy to repair and adjust. However, one drawback of Hawley retainers is that they are pretty noticeable, especially when used on the upper teeth.
Essix Retainers
Essix retainers, or aligner-style retainers, are a discreet alternative to traditional retainers. The clear retainers are produced using a mold of your newly aligned smile and fit over either the entire arch of your teeth or only from canine to canine (clip-on retainer). They are less noticeable than wire retainers but may affect your speech, and unfortunately, if you break an Essix retainer, you will have to replace it since it cannot be repaired. Additionally, they can help patients suffering from bruxism teeth grinding and serve as an alternative to a mouth guard.
Vivera Retainers
Vivera retainers are clear plastic retainers created by the makers of Invisalign. They are crafted from a remarkably durable material, reducing the risk of breakage compared to other plastic retainers. Best of all, getting fitted for a Vivera retainer is a hassle-free experience. Instead of traditional teeth impressions, a laser scan of your mouth is taken, making it an excellent choice if you’re not a fan of the impression-taking process. This new treatment is available to anyone, whether or not they have undergone Invisalign treatment.
Bonded Retainer (Permanent Retainer)
Fixed retainers go by many names, including bonded, permanent, or lingual retainers. They are made of a thin, fixed wire bonded behind the bottom or top teeth, making them totally invisible. The strong wire helps to retain the position and shape of your teeth. You won’t ever have to worry about losing your bonded retainer, but the fixed wire does require extra cleaning and care to ensure that your dental health is in tip-top shape.
Keep Your Teeth Straight With Retainers from Pasha Orthodontics!
Keep your stunning smile post braces and schedule a visit to learn more about our various retainer treatment options.
We are a family practice and active members of the community, so we want to ensure you have the best treatment possible at an affordable cost. Schedule a complimentary consultation with an orthodontist, and we’ll provide you with a retainer option suited for your specific treatment plan.
The retention phase is crucial to maintain your beautiful smile for life. Please feel free to contact our Plainfield, Aurora, or Naperville orthodontic offices to schedule a complimentary consultation.
