Angel Smile

Retainers after Braces – Fixed and Removable Retainer Options

Perfecting a smile takes considerable work on the part of the orthodontist and extreme patience on the part of the patient.

After your orthodontic treatment, removing braces isn’t enough to hold that flawless smile forever. You need to wear a retainer to preserve the perfect alignment for years to come.

Orthodontists recommend the correct retainer depending on one’s dental issue and they will craft one that is just right for you.

What Are Passive And Active Retainers?

Your dentist will recommend a passive retainer after removing your braces since teeth move throughout one’s entire life. They can prevent malocclusions in the coming days and hold your new dental structure in place.

Those with minor alignment problems can omit braces altogether and opt for active retainers. These can straighten your teeth with daily use by moving them gradually in the right position.

What Are The Two Most Common Retainer Types?passive retainer - Retainer after braces

Currently, you have the option of choosing between two types of retainers – fixed and removable.

fixed retainers after bracesFixed Retainers

Fixed or permanent retainers consist of a thin wire behind the upper and lower front teeth. Cement, like the kind in the brackets of braces, holds the retainers in place for the duration of the treatment. They are ideal for children as well as adults who have worn braces in the previous months/years.

Here are a few points you should remember if you get fixed retainers.

  • Always pay attention to regular flossing for cleaning the wires daily.
  • You need to wear them 24/7 for as long as your orthodontist recommends it.
  • Fixed retainers can cost more than removable variants, depending on which removable type you pick.

Patients typically have to wear permanent retainers for the rest of their lives.

Removable Retainers

They ensure effortless removal by the wearer. Removable retainers are typically perfect for adults. These are typically made of polyurethane, plastic or acrylic. Most removable retainers complement the wire across the front of the upper and lower teeth.

Removable retainers after braces

Remember the following points if you are looking forward to enhancing your smile with removable retainers.

  • You have to wear them daily.
  • You have to clean them daily, but removable retainers are typically easier to clean than their fixed counterpart.
  • For the first three months, your orthodontist might ask you to wear them 24/7.
  •  Exposure to heat and cold can change the shape of the retainers, so always consult your dentist at regular intervals to ensure proper dental health.

Your orthodontist might recommend an Essix model for the next six to twelve months, or a Hawley retainer for the next one to twenty years.

What to Retain from This Brief on Retainers?

The cost of your new retainer will depend upon its type and the dental problem you are facing. Removable retainers (Essix and Hawley) can cost between £135 and £285, fixed retainers can cost around £300, and grinding splints begin from £225.

When using retainers and even after you stop using them, do not skip appointments with your orthodontist. Periodic maintenance is integral for the proper working of both fixed and removable retainers. At the same time, your dentist will check for movement, cavities and improvement levels on each visit.