Retainers at Augusta Orthodontics | Types, Cost, Benefits & Care
Retainer Types offered at Augusta Orthodontics
Retainers are a virtual part of all orthodontics care. There are three different retainer types we offer and use at Augusta Orthodontics. All of Dr. Dallam’s patients will use a retainer at the end of their orthodontic treatment.
When we say “retainers,” most of our patients think of the type that keeps your smile straight after we are done moving your teeth.
At Augusta Orthodontics, we do provide these clear plastic retainers. These protect the investment you made in your smile for the long haul. We want your new, beautiful smile to last and be seen around the Augusta area for years to come.
Beyond the standard post-orthodontic retainers, Dr. Hank uses a variety of retainers to achieve amazing patient outcomes. Below we will review each type of appliance, how these work, and how to care for the retainer.
Three types of retainers
- Hawley Retainers (Pre-braces, during, or post-treatment)
- Clear Plastic Removable Retainers (Post-braces treatment)
- Fixed Retainers (Post-braces treatment)
Every retainer works by keeping the teeth in their new position. In the case of removable retainers, these are worn until the bone and gums have fully adjusted to the new alignment. This could take over a year.
How long a patient needs to wear a retainer differs depending on the type of retainer and the individual patient.
Let’s learn more about each type of retainer and its advantages and disadvantages.
All our orthodontic retainers are custom-made for each patient. Orthodontists use these dental appliances for two reasons.
The first reason is to move the teeth before or during braces treatment. This type of retainer is commonly used in young patients.
The second reason is to maintain the position of teeth after the braces are removed. This type of retainer can prevent teeth from shifting out of position which happens over time due to natural growth, eating, or aging.
How Orthodontic Retainers Work
Every retainer works by keeping the teeth in their new position. In the case of removable retainers, these are worn until the bone and gums have fully adjusted to the new alignment.
This could take over a year. How long a patient needs to wear a retainer differs depending on the type of retainer and the individual patient.
Let’s learn more about each type of retainer and its advantages and disadvantages.
Types of Orthodontic Retainers
Let’s review Hawley Retainers first since these are the oldest type and are mostly used for younger patients in early orthodontics.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers, also known as wire retainers, are made of a hard plastic or acrylic base with metal wires that wrap around the teeth. You may have seen these before because they look painful. But not to worry. Dr. Dallam is skilled at making these scary-looking devices comfortable yet effective.
Hawley retainers are removable. This allows them to be adjusted by us to ensure the teeth stay in their correct position and are comfortable. Sometimes modified versions of this retainer are used to gently move a tooth or teeth to match Dr. Dallam’s smile design plan. Today, these are normally used in children in early orthodontics.
To learn more about early orthodontics – click here
Wire retainers used early in orthodontics are a great treatment option for youngsters who need them because they are very strong. They can handle the wear and tear kids can put on them. Additionally, strength is important because permanent teeth may be coming in. A Hawley appliance can keep the already-aligned teeth in position while this happens.
Finally, these devices allow Dr. Dallam and the experienced team at Augusta Orthodontics to plan and provide an easy transition into young adult braces once the Hawley retainers have served their purpose.
Occasionally, Dr. Hank will use this type of retainer after the first stage of braces is removed. This could be done for various physiological reasons, including waiting for some permanent teeth to grow.
The essential thing for families and patients to know is Dr. Dallam has experience using this type of retainer to achieve the patient’s goals. After that, traditional braces, Invisalign, or invisible braces will be used to complete orthodontic treatment.
Once completed, we are ready for dentistry’s most commonly used retainer. The Clear Plastic Retainer. This is Dr. Dallam’s preferred retainer for younger and older adults once braces/clear aligners have straightened your smile!
5 Benefits of Hawley Retainer
- Custom-made to the patient’s mouth
- Long-lasting and adjustable if needed
- Sturdy and durable
- Cleaning is easy with a toothbrush
- Removable for eating, drinking, and speaking
5 Disadvantages of Hawley Retainer
- Very noticeable. People will see you’re wearing a retainer
- More difficult to speak because it’s bulkier
- Dedicated cleaning and usage are required so it works
- Heavier appliance and can be uncomfortable
- More expensive to replace if broken or lost
How to use a Hawley Retainer
Properly using a Hawley or wired retainer is very important. This retainer is not typically designed to move teeth. That would be a modified Hawley retainer. Patients will wear these to maintain the progress made so far in moving their teeth.
The teeth will begin to shift if not worn for Dr.Dallam’s recommended amount of time. Shifting teeth is perfectly natural and a properly worn Hawley retainer will prevent this.
Not wearing the retainer often enough will allow your teeth to shift, resulting in more orthodontic treatment, including braces. This is necessary for younger patients.
Oftentimes, younger patients finishing early orthodontics will use this retainer because it is so strong. They will be getting braces after their permanent teeth grow in.
The strength of a Hawley retainer holds the already aligned front teeth in place as the back teeth grow in. To learn more about early orthodontic treatment, click here.
When you first get your retainer, you will always wear it. Day and night for the first year. After that, you should wear it at least every few days or as Dr.Dallam recommends.
Our patients will begin only having to use it at night after the first year. Then they should switch to every other night. This will maintain your beautiful smile for life if you consistently wear the retainer.
Dr. Dallam rarely uses this type of retainer because Hawley retainers are bulky and more expensive. This results in poor patient compliance. He prefers the lightweight, clear plastic retainer.
Clear Plastic Retainers
Whether you have traditional braces or Invisalign™, you will need a clear plastic retainer.
Let’s focus on the most important thing here…your braces are done!! Congratulations on your new smile.
Now it’s time to keep that smile looking good. Clear plastic retainers are made of a clear, thin, flexible plastic material.
Sometimes these are referred to as “Essix Retainers”. “Essix” is just a popular name brand of the material an orthodontist may use.
There are a variety of similar brands. All these materials are designed to fit comfortably over the teeth. Even though the material is flexible, it is still strong enough to maintain your teeth’s position.
The greatest benefit of this retainer type is they are virtually invisible. You can wear them without people noticing it, like metal braces or Hawley appliances. Patients wear them at night or after eating to ensure teeth stay in the proper position.
Another great benefit patients will love is these do not cause the same soreness they got from braces, Invisalign, or Modified-Hawley retainers. Remember when you’d bite down and feel a bit sore after an adjustment? That’s over.
5 Benefits of Clear Plastic Retainer
- Clear and removable. Almost invisible when used.
- Easy to clean. Pop-off and brush.
- Lite weight and strong. Long-lasting and effective.
- Less irritation on gums, lips, and soft tissue. Not metal!
- Easier to speak & sleep when wearing it.
- Less expensive than Hawley
5 Disadvantages of Clear Plastic Retainer
- Harder to repair if worn out. Most require replacement.
- Heat can warp appliances. Store carefully.
- Replaced more often compared to Hawley retainer.
- Must be worn every night to maintain effectiveness
- Discolores more easily.
Dr. Dallam prefers using these retainers for his patients. Proper use is vital for patients who want to maintain the appearance of their beautifully straightened smile after orthodontic treatment.
The main reason why patients must continue using their retainer is teeth will move over time. This is especially important for teen patients whose wisdom teeth have not come in yet. The wisdom teeth push the other teeth out of position without consistently using a retainer.
Not consistently wearing your retainer results in three bad outcomes.
- The first is a less appealing and misshapen smile. You just went through the treatments to look your best and don’t want to repeat it.
- The second is the potential for additional orthodontic treatment or braces. A costly price to pay to have your smile redone.
- The third is poorer dental health. When teeth overlap and crowd, they block our cleaning methods. Brushing and dental cleaning are less effective. This allows bacteria and infections to grow, leading to decay and gum disease.
Therefore, not wearing your retainer as recommended can have bad short- and long-term results. Additionally, properly caring for your retainer is just as important.
Let’s review how both of these removable retainers should be used and cared for so you can avoid these poor outcomes.
How to use and care for a Hawley or clear plastic retainer.
The retainer will be made immediately after your braces have been removed. This means it is an exact copy of how you and Dr.Dallam have designed your smile. Over the next few days, it is important for the patient to feel how the retainer fits.
Ask yourself: Is the retainer tight or comfortable?
When the Hawley or plastic retainer feels tighter, it means your teeth moved. Once you put the retainer on, it should feel comfortable shortly afterward.
Dr. Dallam says, “A simple rule of thumb is the longer it feels tight, the longer it needs to be worn.”
For example, if your retainer still feels tight after 10 minutes of use, you must wear it for more than 12 hours daily.
Cleaning and Caring for removable retainers.
Caring for these retainers is easy. Patients should not eat or drink anything but plain water while wearing them.
Before bed, after brushing and flossing, you put your retainer on. When you wake up, it’s time to remove and clean your retainer. Let’s see each step in the clean process.
Step-by-step retainer instructions:
- Bedtime Use: Remove the retainer. Brush and floss your teeth. Put the retainer back on.
- Wake-up Cleaning: Remove the retainer. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean. No toothpaste or soap is required. Brush and rinse off.
- Continued use: If using during the day, only wear when recommended and never while eating or drinking anything but plain water.
- Storage: After cleaning, dry and keep in a retainer case with holes to allow venting. This will help avoid mold and bacteria growth.
That’s it!
When properly cared for, these retainers can last over a year. Discoloration can occur in clear retainers, but this does not mean you need a new one. It’s just stained and can still work fine if not damaged, cracked, or warped.
During the first few years after treatment, getting a new clear retainer is recommended by Dr. Dallam. This way, you can see him for a check-up and get a nice, clean, and clear appliance.
Finally, the other alternative to Hawley or clear plastic retainers is a permanently fixed, wired retainer. Dr. Dallam rarely uses these. However, in some patients’ cases, it is the best option.
Permanent Fixed Retainers
Fixed-wired retainers are made of a thin wire that is bonded to the back of the teeth. Sometimes called bonded retainers, they are not removable. These are designed to stay in place for an extended period of time. These can last years or even decades!
While these are called “permanent,” they are able to be removed by an orthodontist or dentist. The fixed retainer is made of a single, long wire. This is bonded (glued) to the back of your front six teeth. These six teeth are known as the social six because they are seen by everyone.
The wire can be used on both the upper and lower teeth. Your tongue will touch the wire and bonding, but it will not be uncomfortable. Patients get used to these very quickly. The best part is no one can see them because they are fixed to the backside or lingual part of your teeth.
Generally, Dr. Dallam will only use these for patients with a higher chance of the teeth being moved by incoming wisdom teeth.
Let’s review the benefits and disadvantages of these fixed lingual retainers.
6 Benefits of Permanent Retainers
- Always in place. No need to remove it.
- People can’t see it.
- Easy to speak and sleep
- Cannot be lost or misplaced
- Strong and hard to damage
- Easy to clean with a brush and interproximal brushes
- Carefree usage because it’s always working.
5 Disadvantages of Permanent Plastic Retainer
- When it breaks, it requires in-office replacement
- Hard and sticky foods will get stuck in it
- The potential for plaque build-up is higher
- Must be removed by a doctor at some point in the future
- Only retains front teeth position.
Most Augusta Orthodontic patients will not use this type of retainer. If it is determined this is the best option for you, let’s review how to care for it.
Care for a permanent archwire retainer.
These are simple to care for. The most important thing is to maintain regular dental hygiene every day. This will keep your teeth cleaner and healthier.
Patients should brush their teeth twice a day. Each time for at least two minutes. Before bed, it is important to floss. Flossing is how and when you clean a permanent retainer. However, it is a little different than normal flossing.
We recommend our patient use a floss threader. This makes it much easier to floss under the wire of your permanent retainer. This will allow food and bacteria to be removed.
Additionally, it is important to visit your dentist regularly for hygiene cleaning. They are skilled at professionally cleaning braces and permanent retainers.
Most patients who fail to keep their retainer clean have plaque and bacteria to build-up. This will cause tooth decay and gum disease. Properly caring for your permanent retainer will keep your teeth clean and your smile healthy.
Augusta Orthodontic retainer guidance and help
We are here to help and will provide fitting and guidance for whatever type of retainer you receive. Additionally, patients receiving a removable retainer will have a fitting at our office to ensure a comfortable fit. Do you need an appointment? Please reach out to our team
Creating and maintaining a healthy smile is our goal at Augusta Orthodontics. Choosing the correct retainer type to maintain your smile is very important to us. Dr. Dallam and his team are here to help you or your child with the proper retainer and help them care for it.
Remember, receiving your retainer is the ultimate goal for patients deciding to receive orthodontics treatment. It means we have created a beautiful smile that will shine around the Augusta community for years to come. Our request is you share your experience with us online. Please leave a review on Google My Business or Facebook,
References
Fixed Orthodontic Retainers – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6605884/
Types of Retainers – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7765545/
Care of Retainer – https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/taking-care-of-retainers/
About Dr. Hank Dallam
