Retainers & Post-Braces Care

Braces Care & Maintenance | Types of Braces & Aligners | Retainers & Post-Braces Care | Instructional Videos

Congratulations on completing your orthodontic treatment! Your braces are off, revealing a beautifully straight, healthy smile; however the journey isn’t over just yet. To keep your teeth perfectly aligned and preserve the incredible results, wearing a retainer is essential.

At Summit Orthodontics, we emphasize the importance of retainers to maintain your new smile. Retainers prevent unwanted tooth movement by stabilizing your teeth while your gums, bone, and muscles adjust to their new positions.

Understanding Different Types of Retainers

Retainers are custom-designed to fit your unique smile and can be either removable or fixed, depending on your needs.

Traditional Removable Retainers

These retainers feature a metal grade wire that wraps around the front teeth, attached to an acrylic base that rests on the roof of your mouth. They can be adjusted by our orthodontists to fine-tune your smile and make minor corrections if necessary.

Clear Removable Plastic Retainers

Clear retainers resemble clear aligners and offer a discreet way to maintain your smile. Made from a mold of your teeth, these transparent, plastic retainers fit snugly over your entire dental arch. They are popular for their near-invisibility and comfort.

Fixed (Bonded) Retainers

Fixed retainers are thin metal grade wires permanently bonded behind your upper and/or lower front teeth. These retainers are prescribed for patients who started treatment with severe spacing or crowding and provide continuous support without the need for removal.

Pros and Cons of Retainers

  • Removable Retainers: Easy to take out for meals and oral care but require responsibility to avoid losing them. Always store your retainer in its protective case when not in use.

  • Fixed Retainers: Convenient for those who prefer a “set it and forget it” option without worrying about wear time. However, they need extra attention during flossing and dental cleanings, often requiring floss threaders or a water flosser to clean effectively around the metal grade wire.

At Summit Orthodontics, our goal is to help you keep your smile beautiful for life. If you have any questions about retainers or post-treatment care, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team!