Consult with Dr. Choi to determine the most appropriate type of retainers for your specific needs. Schedule an appointment today.
Orthodontic Retainers
Maintain your smile after treatment
A retainer is a device designed to keep your teeth in their position. Their purpose is to resist the natural tendency of teeth to move over time and maintain them in the current position.
Orthodontic retainers keep your teeth in the corrected position after braces or Invisalign treatment. Permanent braces hold your teeth in place while they are being realigned, but once those braces are removed, it is natural tendency of teeth to shift back to their pre-treatment position.
Teeth can start to shift even after just a few hours without a retainer. Same rule applies to Invisalign Clear Aligners. Once the aligners are not holding the teeth, they want to move back to where they were.
Different types of retainers:
Fixed retainer
“Permanent retainer” is a line wire that is glued on the back of the front teeth
Clear retainer
Removable plastic trays
Hawley retainer
Removable acrylic+wire appliance
Active retainers
Removable retainers that can correct minor rotations or spacing.
Consult with Dr. Choi to determine the most appropriate type of retainers for your specific needs.
Ask Dr. Choi
Q. Do I need retainers?
A. Teeth are part of human body comprised of living cells which are alive and actively working continually. Whether you had an orthodontic treatment or not, teeth are always at the risk of moving, slowly and gradually through the life -natural aging process. If you want to prevent or stop teeth moving retainers are the answer and especially after orthodontic treatment that achieved perfect alignment and occlusion.
Q. Do I need to wear retainers every day?
A. Right after orthodontic treatment completion, full time wear for about a month is recommended and followed by every night time wear.
Q. How long do I need to wear retainers?
A. As long as you want to keep your teeth in good alignment and occlusion with a perfect smile.
Q. Are they visible?
A. There are different types of retainers but clear retainers are almost non-visible.
Q. Can retainers move teeth?
A. Retainers only retain the current position of teeth. Minor movements of teeth can be done with active type of retainers.
Q. What is the risk of fixed retainers?
A. If oral hygiene is not good, significant plaque can build up around the fixed wire quickly, increasing the risk of gum disease. They can also break off partially or completely with poor management over time.
Q. How do I clean my retainers?
A. Rinsing under running cold water every time you remove them. You can brush the retainers but without toothpaste. Special supplements to refresh your retainers are also allowed.
Q. Do I need night guard or retainers?
A. If you are a heavy grinder and clencher, night guard may be the option for night time retainer. There is also special night guard type retainer that can work as both night guard and retainer.
Q. How often do I need retainers checked?
A. Orthodontist will give you specific instructions depending on your stage of treatment or status.
Q. What do I do if my retainers are not fitting or broken?
A. Contact Dr. Choi immediately to have replacement before teeth start shifting.
Ask Dr. Choi
Q. Do I need retainers?
A. Teeth are part of human body comprised of living cells which are alive and actively working continually. Whether you had an orthodontic treatment or not, teeth are always at the risk of moving, slowly and gradually through the life -natural aging process. If you want to prevent or stop teeth moving retainers are the answer and especially after orthodontic treatment that achieved perfect alignment and occlusion.
Q. Do I need to wear retainers every day?
A. Right after orthodontic treatment completion, full time wear for about a month is recommended and followed by every night time wear.
Q. How long do I need to wear retainers?
A. As long as you want to keep your teeth in good alignment and occlusion with a perfect smile.
Q. Are they visible?
A. There are different types of retainers but clear retainers are almost non-visible.
Q. Can retainers move teeth?
A. Retainers only retain the current position of teeth. Minor movements of teeth can be done with active type of retainers.
Q. What is the risk of fixed retainers?
A. If oral hygiene is not good, significant plaque can build up around the fixed wire quickly, increasing the risk of gum disease. They can also break off partially or completely with poor management over time.
Q. How do I clean my retainers?
A. Rinsing under running cold water every time you remove them. You can brush the retainers but without toothpaste. Special supplements to refresh your retainers are also allowed.
Q. Do I need night guard or retainers?
A. If you are a heavy grinder and clencher, night guard may be the option for night time retainer. There is also special night guard type retainer that can work as both night guard and retainer.
Q. How often do I need retainers checked?
A. Orthodontist will give you specific instructions depending on your stage of treatment or status.
Q. What do I do if my retainers are not fitting or broken?
A. Contact Dr. Choi immediately to have replacement before teeth start shifting.
Because Every Smile Tells a Story
My goal is simple, to help you feel confident and smile more, every day.
