When braces are finally removed, the “retention” phase begins for most individuals.  The objective of this phase is to ensure the teeth do not regress back to their previous position.  A retainer will be used to maintain the improved position of the teeth.  A retainer is a fixed or removable dental appliance which has been custom-made by the orthodontist to fit the teeth.  Retainers are generally made from transparent plastic and thin wires to optimize the comfort of the patient.

Retainers are worn for varying amounts of time, depending on the type of orthodontic treatment and the age of the patient.  Perseverance and commitment are required to make this final stage of treatment successful.  If the retainer is not worn as directed by the orthodontist, relapse will occur, which is partial movement of the teeth back to their original position.  If relapse occurs sometimes the only way to correct is to wear braces again.

What types of retainer are available?

There are a variety of retainers available; each one geared towards treating a different kind of dental problem.  The orthodontist will make a retainer recommendation depending on the nature of the original diagnosis and the orthodontic treatment plan.

The following are some of the most common types of retainers:

• Acrylic Retainer – The Acrylic retainer consists of a metal wire on an acrylic arch.  The metal wire may be periodically adjusted by the orthodontist to ensure the teeth stay in the desired position.  The acrylic arch is designed to fit comfortably on the lingual walls or palate of the mouth.
  
  
• Clear Retainers – The retainer is the most commonly used vacuum formed retainer (VFR).  A mold is initially made of the teeth in their new alignment. Then clear trays are created to fit over the arch in its entirety.   Also clear retainers do not affect the aesthetic appearance of the smile in the same way as the Hawley retainer. 

If you have any questions or concerns about retainers, please contact our office.