Keep Your Smile Looking Amazing
Retainers are an essential part of your orthodontic treatment. Below, we talk about types of retainers, why they are important, and how to get new retainers at our office.
Orthodontic Retention
Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, it’s important to maintain the beautiful results you have achieved. Your teeth will gradually stabilize in their new positions, but the bone and tissues supporting your teeth need time to adapt to their new positions. Retainers help maintain the alignment achieved during treatment and play a critical role in ensuring that the outcome of your treatment lasts. If you wear them as prescribed by our doctors, you should be able to enjoy the benefits of your orthodontic treatment at Clinebell & Anderson for your lifetime.
Clear (Essix) Retainers
Essix retainers, also known as clear retainers, are custom made retainers that fit snugly over your teeth. They are made of a transparent plastic, making them virtually invisible when worn. Essix retainers are removable, allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance. These retainers are excellent at holding teeth in position and are the retainer of choice by Dr. Clinebell and Dr. Anderson for all our patients completing comprehensive treatment.
Fixed Retainers
Bonded lingual retainers consist of a wire that is glued directly to the tongue side of your front teeth. They are not visible and are always attached to your teeth, holding them in place. While they provide a high level of convenience, fixed retainers can be difficult to clean, and can break if eating something hard. We use them only in very specific cases at our office.
Consequences of Not Wearing Retainers:
Failure to wear your retainers as prescribed after treatment can lead to your teeth shifting back to their original positions. This is known as relapse. Relapse can compromise the results of your treatment, sometimes leading to the need for additional orthodontic treatment again in the future.
It is important to understand that wearing retainers is a long-term commitment. Dr. Clinebell and Dr. Anderson prescribe that our patients wear their retainers every night, indefinitely to maintain results for life.
If You Need New or Replacement Retainers
Existing Patients:
At the end of your treatment, you were given a 3D printed model of your teeth. If you have worn your retainer well, and your teeth have not shifted, call us right away because we can use the model to make replacement retainers for you at a discounted price. If there has been shifting of your teeth, we will have to do a new digital scan of your teeth and your new retainers will be ready within a week.
New Patients:
Please call us and let us know that you would like new retainers. Let us know if you need a repair of a fixed/glued retainer or a replacement of a removable retainer, and our staff will be able to quote you the proper fees. If you have had shifting of your teeth and want them re-aligned, please let us know this as well so we can schedule your visit appropriately. We look forward to meeting you!