When you invest in your dental health – you want to make sure you preserve your investment! The best way to keep the progress and success you have had with your orthodontic treatment is with a custom retainer. Our team at DaBell & Paventy Orthodontics will work with you after your braces are removed (or once your Invisalign® treatment has finished) to fit you with a retainer so your beautiful, bright smile can last for decades!
Every patient has a unique smile, and that means every patient will have a different plan for retainers. As a simple oral appliance, retainers will maintain the new position of your teeth when braces have been removed.
Invisible Retainers are made of clear plastic and fit snugly over the teeth. An invisible retainer is usually more discreet than a Hawley retainer, although it may not be as durable.
Hawley Retainers consist of wires and clasps embedded in a plastic body that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper arch) or lies along the tongue-side of the teeth (for the lower arch). The clasps fit around certain teeth to anchor the retainer in place, while the wire arches across the front of the teeth to maintain their alignment.
Lower Fixed (or Bonded) Retainers, also called permanent retainers, are permanently attached to the backside of the front teeth. They prevent the teeth from shifting out of place and can only be removed by a dental professional.
Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of your teeth after you have completed orthodontic treatment. Wearing retainers regularly prevents teeth from shifting back into their original positions and helps you keep your healthy smile. Like any dental appliance, retainers require proper care and maintenance to function effectively and last a long time. To help you keep your retainers in top condition, we have compiled a list of simple and practical steps that you can take to keep your retainers clean and protected.
Whether you are a current orthodontic patient of DaBell & Paventy – or you completed your orthodontic treatment somewhere else – it is important to maintain your smile with a custom retainer. Schedule an appointment with our team today so we can help fit you for a comfortable retainer. Your beautiful smile can last forever!