Orthodontic Retainer Options
The day your braces are removed is a joyous day. After all, you’ve spent months waiting for your straight teeth and beautiful smile. However, that’s not the end of your treatment. Now you enter the retention period and must wear an orthodontic retainer to ensure your teeth remain in the correct place. Orthodontic retainers are designed to fit your adjusted teeth, which helps hold them in place after your treatment is complete, which makes retainers an important part of the treatment process.
Types of Orthodontic Retainers
Every patient has unique needs and requires a custom retainer to match. At Empire Orthodontics, we provide several retainer types to:
- Traditional retainers consist of metal wire wrapping around the front teeth. An acrylic arch rests on the roof of the mouth.
- Clear retainers resemble clear aligners. They are created from a mold of your new smile and create a more aesthetic alternative to traditional retainers.
- Fixed retainers featured bonded wires that attach to your teeth. Some patients require this for one year, but others need it to remain in place until the cement fails.
Which type of device and how long you must wear it depends on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment.
Wearing Your Orthodontic Retainers
Removable retainers are worn consistently for several months but eventually could change to wearing them at night only. Some patients require wearing a retainer for years to maintain their tooth alignment.
Depending on your unique needs, an Empire Dental orthodontic specialist will provide you with a suitable retainer. You’ll receive detailed instructions on wearing it for the best results and cleaning it to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup.
Empire Orthodontics in Beavercreek & West Chester
Orthodontics is an investment that can be protected with a custom-fit retainer to keep teeth from shifting back to their original position. For kids, a permanent retainer may be the best option since kids tend to forget to wear their retainer as prescribed by their orthodontist. Dr. Davidson and his team at Empire Orthodontics can find the right retainer solution for you or your child. Schedule an appointment at our Beavercreek or West Chester office to learn more about our Orthodontic Retainer options.
Dr. Rush Davidson, DDS, Board-Certified Orthodontist
Orthodontic Retainer FAQs
A retainer is a custom-made device that helps keep your teeth in place after braces or aligners. It prevents teeth from shifting back to their original position. Empire Orthodontics offers orthodontic retainer options to protect your investment.
After orthodontic treatment, teeth have a tendency to move back to their original positions. A retainer maintains your new smile by holding your teeth in place.
Dr. Davidson will give specific instructions, but generally, retainers should be worn full-time for a few months and then nightly for life to prevent teeth from shifting.
As you near the end of your treatment, Dr. Davidson will recommend a retainer based on your treatment and needs. Some people prefer removable retainers for convenience, while others benefit from fixed retainers for long-term stability.
Your teeth may start shifting. If your retainer feels tight when you put it back in, wear it consistently to prevent further movement. If it doesn’t fit, contact your orthodontist.
If your retainer feels too tight, too loose, or doesn’t fit over your teeth, it may need to be adjusted or replaced. Schedule an appointment with Empire Orthodontics to explore your retainer options.
Try wearing it consistently to adjust. If pain persists, Dr. Davidson may need to make small adjustments.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Davidson as soon as possible. Our team will help re-affix your permanent retainer to protect your orthodontic achievements.
Yes, but you’ll need to contact our office for a new one.
