ORTHODONTIC RETENTION
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 or 3D-scan of your newly aligned teeth.
- Fixed or “permanent” retainers consist of wires bonded behind the bottom and/or top teeth.
Pros and Cons
- Removable retainers can be taken out for eating and hygiene routines.
- Removable retainers can get lost or broken 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.
WHAT SETS
US APART
“Dr. Rojas communicated with my son's dentist directly and facilitated the transfer of information between the offices. That was very helpful to me, since I don't know most of the technical terms for specialty x-rays and other procedures. I look forward to working with Dr. Rojas for many years to come, with my 9-year old son and his younger siblings. I recommend them to families seeking a knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and kind orthodontists. ” Erica H.
“As an adult patient with periodontal issues, finding an orthodontist who is keyed into my special needs was the priority. I am well taken care of in the more-than-capable hands of Dr. Rojas, each appointment is pleasant and feels like a visit with an old friend. Most importantly, my smile transformation is coming along nicely. I am eager to face the world braces-free!” Neil N.
“At my age it was difficult to decide whether to go through orthodontic treatment; I wondered if it would be worth it. Well, it was! Even though I had to wear the Invisalign trays for a couple of months longer than projected, I'm very pleased with the final results. From the initial consultation through the entire orthodontic process, I was made to feel welcome and treated with professionalism. Thank you Dr. Jenniffer Rojas for giving me my healthy smile back. ” Esther S.
“I can't stop grinning. My pearly whites have never looked better and it's all thanks to Dr. Rojas! Sure, it was a downer that I didn't get braces as a kid but I got to hold off for the best of the best! Totally worth the wait!” Billy G.
“My 9-year old son and I have had an excellent experience with Dr. Rojas. They makes sure the visits are comfortable by being kind and setting a positive tone. Also, they always makes time to explain to me and to my son what they will be doing that day, and to answer all our questions. ” Erica H.
“Dr. Rojas communicated with my son's dentist directly and facilitated the transfer of information between the offices. That was very helpful to me, since I don't know most of the technical terms for specialty x-rays and other procedures. I look forward to working with Dr. Rojas for many years to come, with my 9-year old son and his younger siblings. I recommend them to families seeking a knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and kind orthodontists. ” Erica H.
“As an adult patient with periodontal issues, finding an orthodontist who is keyed into my special needs was the priority. I am well taken care of in the more-than-capable hands of Dr. Rojas, each appointment is pleasant and feels like a visit with an old friend. Most importantly, my smile transformation is coming along nicely. I am eager to face the world braces-free!” Neil N.