How Different Types of Retainers Keep Your Smile Healthy
Now that you have your beautiful new smile, you want to hang onto it. That’s where retainers come in. Retainers keep your teeth straight not just after your braces are removed but for years to come. With several types of retainers available, which kind of retainer is best for you?
Weaver Orthodontics has retainers' preferences based on years of experience and patient satisfaction. Of the different kinds of retainers after braces or clear aligners, which is best for you? Let’s explore the different types of retainers and why we believe you’ll prefer one type in particular.
What Are the Types of Retainers?
There are three main types of retainers: the Hawley retainer, the Essix retainer, and the permanent or bonded retainer. Each of these orthodontic appliances is made to prevent teeth shift movement back to their original positions.
Hawley Retainers
The Hawley retainer is the “old school” retainer. It’s made of an acrylic base with wires that wrap around the teeth and hold them in place.
The Hawley retainer’s acrylic is custom-molded to the roof of the mouth and to fit around the gums. The acrylic serves as a base to hold the wires, which snap onto the teeth. The main wire wraps around the front teeth and attaches to the back teeth. The idea is to keep the front teeth in place, which prevents the others from moving.
Hawley retainers were the tried-and-true retainers for years, but they’re slowly being replaced by more technologically advanced retainers, the Essix retainer.
Essix Retainers
The Essix retainers differ from wire retainers in that they are custom-molded acrylic-type materials that look like clear aligners. However, unlike clear aligners, Essix retainers are made to keep your teeth still while the bone around them hardens.
Essix retainers are easily removable, so you don’t have to worry about damaging them when eating. However, they need to be worn anytime you aren’t eating, brushing, or flossing. When worn, Essix retainers hold all of the teeth in place, not just the front teeth.
These retainers are made of a thin material that is more comfortable than the wires of the Hawley or bonded retainers. Because they’re like clear aligners, they are harder to see on your teeth than Hawley retainers. People may not realize you’re wearing retainers!
Bonded Retainers
Bonded retainers, sometimes called permanent retainers or fixed retainers, are bonded to the back of your front teeth. Unlike Hawley and Essix retainers, bonded retainers are not removable.
At Weaver Orthodontics, we prefer not to use bonded retainers because of the possible problems that can arise from them. Bonded retainers make it more difficult to brush and floss the front teeth. Patients must use floss threaders to floss properly, which means bonded retainers are not easy to clean.
They also can break or bend, which requires replacement. Bonded retainers can also irritate the tongue and gums, making them more uncomfortable than Essix retainers.
How Long Do Retainers Last?
The Essix retainers preferred by our patients can last for years, and even decades, if cared for correctly. You may need to replace your retainers before then if you damage them or if you don’t wear them often enough and your teeth move.
The better you care for your retainers properly, the longer they will last. That means storing them properly when they aren’t in your mouth.
Keep them away from pets or small children who could damage them easily. Keep them away from heat sources. That includes leaving them in the car or putting them in the dishwasher (yes, that’s happened!).
It also includes making sure you keep your retainers clean and germ-free.
How to Clean Your Retainers
There are several ways to clean your retainers, but you must clean them regularly to keep them free of food particles, bacteria, and germs.
If you want to know how to clean retainers daily, just use a little soap and water. Brush your retainers gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and anti-bacterial hand or dish soap. Make sure you rinse them well. You can also use a non-alcoholic mouthwash to keep your retainers clean and fresh.
We don’t recommend using toothpaste because most have abrasive materials that can scratch your retainers and make them cloudy. Some denture cleansers also have abrasives that can cloud your retainers.
There are cleaning tablets made to clean and disinfect retainers. It’s a good idea to use those once or twice a week, but you can use dish soap or mouthwash the rest of the time. Just make sure you clean your retainers every day!
You should rinse your retainers every time you remove them from your mouth. This will help keep them clean and free of bacteria and germs.
Retainer Replacement Program
Weaver Orthodontics offers the Retainer Replacement Program. The program is a safeguard in case you lose or damage your retainers.
For $895, you can enroll in the program and ensure you get replacement retainers for the next five years for only a $25 copay. That is significantly less than the cost of having to replace retainers more than once.
Ask about our retainer replacement program during your first visit with us or anytime during your treatment!
Getting Retainers in Swampscott, MA
It’s easy to get more information about retainers in Swampscott, MA. Just schedule an appointment with Weaver Orthodontics to find out more about treatment with braces or clear aligners as well as our retainers and Retainer Replacement Program.
At Weaver Orthodontics, we don’t just want you to get the smile of your dreams — we want you to keep it!
