Retainers

Retainers are orthodontic appliances created to maintain the achieved treatment result following orthodontic treatment and are absolutely necessary for every completed treatment. After a successful course of treatment, your teeth can move relatively easily and quickly as the new bite still has to settle. This is particularly important during the first 6 months following treatment. To avoid any relapses, or any natural tooth movement following your orthodontic treatment, you will need some kind of retainer. They are passive, so they do not put any pressure on your teeth and therefore are very easy to wear.

There are 3 types of retainers that we use. Typically we provide you with a removable retainer that you wear only at night, however depending on your needs, we might instead offer a bonded retainer.

  • Hawley retainer – The Hawley retainer is a removable acrylic retainer with cribs and a small wire across the front of the teeth. It is worn at night, but can be also worn during the day for added protection.
  • Essix retainer – The Essix retainer is also a removable clear plastic retainer, with no wires, but which covers all the teeth inside and outside.
  • Bonded retainer – A bonded retainer is a wire glued to the back of your teeth, which remains permanently for as long as necessary. Not only are bonded retainers easy to maintain, they are not seen from the outside and you also don’t feel them.

Gallery - Retainers