Retainers : your life after treatment
Congrats! You’ve got finally your brackets removed or got rid of your last aligner.
However, as exciting it may sound, your orthodontic treatment can’t stop here yet.
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in time and money, you want to make sure your teeth won’t shift back to how they were pre- orthodontic treatment or move over time. In fact, it’s just natural that teeth settlements tend to relapse, as teeth want to relax a bit once they’re free from equipment. They might return to their original position and lead to malocclusion over time.
To wear a retainer at night is the only solution to permanently maintain straight teeth and ensure your brand-new radiant smile lasts forever. There are so many different types of retainers to choose from : either removable or fixed. At the end of the treatment, the orthodontist will guide you on which type of retainers is best for you and advise you on how to use it. The type of retainer you pick for your post-treatment care will depend on your unique situation.
At Smile and Spine Clinic, we usually combine fixed wires and one type of removable retainer to guarantee your beautiful new smile lasts for a lifetime.
Hawley Appliance
Hawley retainers are removable and they made from a thin metal wire and acrylic. The acrylic section is custom-made to fit the roof of your mouth ( palate) , while the front arch wire runs along the outside of your teeth to keep them aligned. While Hawley appliances are extremely durable over time, they’re also more noticeable compared to the other retainers and can affect your speech.
Wrap Around
This removable retainer is a modern twist of traditional Hawley appliance. Here, the labial arch wire extends to the posterior teeth, encircling the premolars and molars , without any molar retentive clasps. The device is suitable in all cases.
Clear Retainers
They’re custom-made and molded to tightly hold your teeth in the correct position and can even provide minor corrections to misaligned teeth ( essix of movement) . Clear retainers are almost invisible and they unlikely affect your speech. However, the plastic material may warp if exposed to heat and over time and can slightly discolored over time if you do not practice proper daily cleaning.
They consist of a simple stainless-steel wire being bonded with composite resin to the inside of both your upper and lower front teeth (usually from canine to canine) to keep them fixed in place. Permanent retainers are most commonly used for patients at high risk of relapse ( tongue thrusting, improper swallowing, periodontal poor situation with high mobility on front teeth...) or patients who are likely not to be disciplined in wearing a removable retainer.
Fixed wire are completely invisible to others and can't be lost BUT they likely to break one day.
Please note that upper fixed wire may interfere with occlusion and mastication. In addition, dental cleans are recommended every year as it can be tricky to correctly brush and floss; resulting in overload of plaque and dental tartar and bacteria build-up.
Ready to explore your options?
Book your visit to discuss your different orthodontic option, and obtain a clear timeline and cost breakdown. Your most confident smile can be both healthy and beautifully aligned. Let’s make a plan that works for you.