Congratulations! You’ve finally completed orthodontic treatment and have a stunning, straight smile, but your orthodontic journey doesn’t end here.
To maintain your beautiful smile and protect your investment, you need to wear an orthodontic retainer. Custom-made retainers in Anaheim hold your teeth in their new positions. They are an essential part of orthodontic treatment.
A retainer is an orthodontic appliance supplied to you by an Anaheim orthodontist once you’ve completed treatment. There are three types of retainers.
Hawley Retainers
The Hawley retainer is the most common type of retainer. It’s made with an acrylic or plastic base and a bendable wire. The base fits snugly inside your mouth (either on the roof of your mouth or along the back of the lower arch). The wire goes across the front of your teeth and keeps them from shifting.
Hawley retainers come in various colors, allowing you to customize your orthodontic appliance. With proper care, this type of retainer can last a long time.
Essix Retainers
An Essix retainer is a molded plastic retainer that resembles clear Invisalign® aligners. Just as people prefer Invisalign® because it’s a virtually invisible treatment option, many prefer Essix retainers for the same reason.
One of the drawbacks of Essix retainers is that they tend to break down more quickly than Hawley retainers. Therefore, they need to be replaced more often.
Permanent Retainers
A permanent retainer consists of a moldable wire that is bonded to the back of your front teeth. Most often, these retainers are placed behind the six lower front teeth. Patients love that these retainers are invisible.
Bonded retainers aren’t always ideal, though, because it can be challenging to clean the teeth. As with braces, you’ll need a floss threader to floss around the retainer properly.
It depends on your case. Many patients need to wear their retainers 24/7 for an entire year. After that, they only must wear their retainers at night.
No. You’ll need to remove your retainer any time you eat. Eating with a retainer can cause it to crack or break.
Contact your Anaheim orthodontist right away. Each day that passes without a retainer, the more your teeth will shift. We can fabricate a new retainer quickly to ensure we protect your orthodontic investment.
Start by rinsing your retainer with warm water. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of gentle dish soap to clean the retainer. Don’t brush too hard. Avoid medium- or hard-bristled toothbrushes or toothpaste, as these can scratch the retainers, making them susceptible to breaking or harboring bacteria.
How Do I Store My Retainer When I’m Not Wearing It?
When you receive your orthodontic retainer, you’ll also receive a retainer case. Make sure to keep your retainer in its case any time you remove it. We’ve had many patients remove their retainer at meals, wrap it up in a tissue or napkin while they eat, and accidentally throw it away.
Orthodontic retainers cost between $100 and $500, depending on the type of retainer you get. The retainer cost is figured into the original orthodontic treatment cost estimate you receive from us.
Does Dental Insurance Pay for Orthodontic Retainers?
Dental insurance does not pay for retainers. If you lose or break your retainer, you’ll need to pay in full for the cost. Talk to our team about payment plans.
If you’ve recently undergone orthodontic treatment, congratulations! You now have the smile you’ve always wanted.
Now, it’s time to protect your investment. Wearing orthodontic retainers will prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position, which ensures you keep your new smile for a lifetime. Orthodontic retainers are an essential part of your orthodontic journey.
Protect Your Investment with an Orthodontic Retainer
Contact Dentist of Anaheim by calling (714) 261-2098 or using our online form to learn more!
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