Retainers Specialist

What Are Retainers And Why Are They Necessary?

A retainer is a customized orthodontic device used to hold teeth in position following treatment with braces or Invisalign. Made of either wire and acrylic or plastic, retainers maintain the position of newly-moved teeth, as bones and gums adapt to their new positions. It is important that patients wear their retainer as directed by Dr. Chang so that teeth do not move back to their previous position. To maintain the position of teeth, wearing retainers is a lifetime commitment. Retainers may to be removable or fixed. To prevent losing removable retainers, Dr. Chang recommends that patients always put them in their cases when not being worn.

What Different Types of Retainers Are There?  

There are three basic types of retainers:

• Essix retainers are removable retainers that are made entirely of transparent plastic, which makes them less noticeable than traditional wire retainers. Unlike some wire retainers, Essix retainers cover the entire arch of the teeth. While they are less noticeable, Essix retainers are not as durable as Hawley retainers.

• Hawley Retainers- Named for its inventor, Dr. Charles A. Hawley, this type of retainer is the most common. It consists of a metal wire that generally surrounds the six anterior teeth to hold them in place and is anchored in an acrylic base plate that sits on the roof of the mouth or next to the tongue.

• Fixed Retainers- Also referred to as bonded or “permanent” retainers, fixed retainers are pieces of wires attached directly to the backsides/tongue-side of a person’s teeth. The retainer does not go around the entire mouth, usually just the front 6 teeth. “Permanent” retainers are a misnomer because although the retainer is fixed in the mouth, it is not permanent by any means.  Patients with fixed retainers have to be really careful with what they eat as cleaning teeth around the wire can be slightly complicated.

How Long Should Retainers Be Worn?

Most orthodontists monitor the progress of a patient’s teeth for a year or so following the removal of braces. During this time, patients generally wear their removable retainers full-time for at least the first month, removing them only to eat, drink, brush and/or floss. After this initial period, the patient will be instructed to continue wearing their retainer either full or part-time, depending on the stability of their teeth. Since muscle tone and bone density change throughout your life, Dr. Donna Chang recommends that you wear your retainers at least part time to ensure that your teeth stay nice and straight until you’re 100 years old!