Retainers Hold Your Teeth In Place

Retainers are devices used primarily to hold teeth in place after an orthodontic treatment (such as braces). Retainers are typically made of wire or plastic. You may be asked to wear a retainer at night, in the day time or both. There are four basic retainer types; Hawley, Essix, fixed and night guard retainers.

Hawley Type Retainers – The Hawley retainer is the most common retainer type. It includes a metal wire that is attached to a plastic arch that fits in the roof of the mouth. The metal wires are formed to surround the teeth to keep them in place and can be adjusted as necessary for proper fit and minor tooth movement. Most recently, innovation has allowed the metal wires to be replaced with a clear wire for more a more pleasing appearance.

Essix Type Retainers – The Essix retainer is another popular retainer type. This retainer is a transparent plastic device that has been vacuum formed to a mold specific to the patient. Essix retainers do not allow the upper and lower teeth to contact since plastic covers the entire chewing surface. Essix retainers are easier to wear than Hawley retainers and are less expensive. However, it patients suffer from Bruxism ( grinding of teeth), Essix retainers may not be a viable option.

Fixed Retainers – A fixed retainer is are semi-permanent retainer consisting of a wire that is bonded to the inner surface of the patient’s teeth. These retainers cannot be removed by the patient. Fixed retainers are often used after orthodontic treatments have significantly altered teeth placement and when there is a risk of the teeth migrating out of their desired positions. Fixed retainers are typically placed for over a year and are often permanent.

Night Guard Retainers- These retainers are often used to prevent damage from teeth grinding (Bruxism) at night. Instead of damaging teeth when the patient clenches or grinds his or her teeth, the mouth guard absorbs the force and wear caused by Bruxism. The retainer looks similar to the Essix retainer but has material properties designed to withstand the forces of Bruxism.

Do’s and Don’ts for Retainers
• Wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist. Failing to do so, may allow your teeth to move back to their previous position.
• Take your retainer out when you eat.
• When you remove your retainer, place them in their case.
• Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin. Someone is sure to throw it out.
• Brush your retainers as instructed to eliminate plaque and odors. Nobody likes bad breath. Your retainer can give you bad breath.
• Keep your retainers away from heat. This includes washing machines, dashboards, and direct sunlight.
• Do not put your retainer in your pocket. It is easy to break in when you sit down.
• Retainers are attractive to pets and children. Be sure to keep them in their case and out of reach of animals and children. Nothing good happens when your retainer ends up with a pet or young child.
• If retainers are broken, lost or melted, call your orthodontist immediately. Living without your retainer will allow your teeth to move.
• Remove retainers when swimming.
• Don’t move your retainer with your tongue. It is easy to break them this way.
• If questions or concerns come up, feel free to call our office for any questions about Orthodontic Treatment

We offer Free Consultations.

Cost of Treatment

A lot of patients ask us: Are braces expensive? Can I afford braces or Invisalign? Would my insurance cover it?
Don’t stress about the cost, we have you covered! At our office, we understand how important it is for you and your family members to get the best value and quality of braces. You have our pledge that we will do everything possible to make braces affordable for you. We do this for our patients by setting up customized, affordable, and flexible monthly payment plans that fit our patients’ budgets. But before we quote any fees, our office always offers an initial consultation for FREE.

By scheduling a FREE consultation, you have absolutely no obligations. The consultation allows us to evaluate your bite and to discuss our findings with you.

While there is no standard price for braces because treatments vary in time and complexity, an average fee at our office for clear or traditional metal braces or Invisalign treatment ranges between $2,500 and $5,500. All fees are paid out over time with small initial payments and affordable monthly payment plans that are created just for you to work within your family budget.

At our office, we offer the finest possible products at reasonable costs. After the initial free consultation, you are welcome to shop around and compare our services with our competitors. You will then find that other orthodontists charge much more for the same exact quality and service that you will receive at our office. (Some even go as far as charging over $10,000!)

We offer family discounts up to 10% and we also offer 10% discounts on payments that are made in full and upfront.

We accept all insurances and or will work with you to get the maximum benefits available from your insurance plan.

If you are not sure if your insurance covers braces, give us a call and come in for a FREE, no-obligation consultation to find out your benefits, coverage, and options.

You will need to take good care of your teeth

Treatment does not end when braces are removed, we continue to see our patients free of charge, to make sure that their teeth stay straight and that their retainers are working properly. These visits are included in our agreement.
Keep in mind, teeth shift as we get older and the only way to keep them straight is to wear your retainers.

So, what types of retainers will you be getting?

The types of retainers you will have all depend on your initial problem.

At our office, we recommend permanent bonded retainers at least on the lower front teeth. It is the lower teeth that are the most susceptible to shift after treatment. This type of retainer is glued in on the back of your teeth and is not visible to others. The permanent bonded retainers are safe for your teeth and can always be removed by a dentist. The only disadvantage of this type of retainer is that it is difficult to floss (in this case, we recommend for you to use super-floss and a Waterpik to clean between your teeth).

Occasionally, we use permanent bonded retainers on the upper front teeth in addition to the lower front teeth. This will keep them from moving after active treatment with braces or Invisalign.

Aside from a permanent bonded retainer, there are two other types of retainers that are quite popular.

The Hawley retainer is made of acrylic and metal. The acrylic goes behind your teeth and up against your upper palate. The metal bar is placed in front of your teeth. This type of retainer is visible to others and it is removable. This is the biggest disadvantage of these types of retainers — the retainer is supposed to be worn all of the time except when eating and brushing your teeth. The Hawley Retainer is long-lasting and it is adjustable. This retainer is meant to be worn full-time for the first year. After that, you can begin to wear the retainer only at night time for as long as possible.

An Essex Retainer comes in clear plastic and looks like an Invisalign aligner tray. This type of retainer is not visible and is worn full time for the first week. After that, the retainer can be worn only at night time.

Sometimes, depending on the case, the doctors at our office will give you both types of retainers — the permanent bonded retainer for 24/7 protection and the Essex Retainers that are only supposed to be worn at night for extra protection. More information on this website