Retainers

Retainers are orthodontic devices whose function is to keep teeth straight. We use retainers after Adult Braces or Teen Braces orthodontic treatment to ensure that the teeth do not shift back into their original positions. Retainers are usually the last phase after we straighten your teeth into their prescribed position. At South Beach Clinic, we make our retainers in our in-house dental lab and fit them as soon as your orthodontic treatment is complete.

Slight shifting of your teeth following treatment is normal, wearing a retainer will ‘retain’ your teeth stay in their correct position. Even after teeth straightening, the effects of everyday wear can lead to relapse. During the first 2 days we ask you to wear your retainers for 22 hours a day or more and then every night after that to ensure your newly straightened smile lasts a lifetime.

retainer-types.png

Essix retainer or
clear overlay retainer

Made of clear plastic and looks like Invisalign® or a thin mouthguard. This is the most common type of retainer as it is easy to wear and removable.

ADVANTAGES

  • Virtually invisible retainer

  • Less bulky than a Hawley retainer

  • Unlikely to affect your speech

DISADVANTAGES

  • We cannot adjust the fit

  • Cannot repair

  • Retainer can warp if exposed to heat

  • Can become discoloured over time

  • It can trap liquids against your teeth

  • Top and bottom teeth don’t touch naturally

  • Can affect your speech more than fixed wire retainers

 

Hawley retainer

Also called wire retainers, these are removable retainers made of thin metal wire and plastic or acrylic with a metal wire in front of the teeth to maintain alignment.

ADVANTAGES

  • More durable than a clear retainer

  • We can adjust the fit

  • We can sometimes repair if broken

  • If used properly it can last for years

  • The upper and lower teeth touch naturally with this retainer

DISADVANTAGES

  • Can affect speech more than other retainers

  • More noticeable than other retainers

  • The wire can irritate initially

 

Fixed wire retainer

Also called a bonded retainer or permanent retainer, this type of retainer comprises a solid or braided wire that is custom-fit. We discreetly bond the wire to the inside of your front teeth to keep them from moving. Mostly used on young children or when the orthodontist thinks the teeth are likely to relapse.

ADVANTAGES

  • Fixed and so doesn’t require instructions

  • Virtually invisible and fixed to the inside of teeth

  • Unlikely to affect your speech

  • Stays in place and constantly working

  • Fixed and so doesn’t require instructions

  • Virtually invisible and fixed to the inside of teeth

  • Unlikely to affect your speech

  • Stays in place and constantly working 

DISADVANTAGES

  • Not removable to allow for cleaning, you will require a special ‘superfloss’

  • The metal wire may irritate your tongue initially

hawley-retainer.jpg

Are retainers really necessary?

Retainers play a key role in the results of your orthodontic treatment. Retainers keep your teeth set in their new position and will prevent them from going back to where they were initially located. Your teeth will continue to shift for the rest of your life. Use your retainer so that all the work you put in getting the smile you want doesn’t go to waste.

Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to wear retainers 24/7 for a period of time after braces come off or you may only need to wear them when sleeping. It’s integral that you wear your retainer exactly as your orthodontist recommends so that your new smile lasts a lifetime.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I truly recommend the clinic as you get a competent and friendly treatment with hardly any waiting time. All doctors and staff members with whom I dealt with were super friendly, genuinely caring and professional.”

— MONA S.

We’ll find the retainer that’s right for you

You could be using a retainer for years or indefinitely, so it is important to pick a type that works for you. Together, we’ll explore your options and find the perfect retainer for your smile and lifestyle.