Retainers: Protect Your Investment and Maintain Your New Smile
When you complete orthodontic treatment, you will be given a retention appliance that should be worn in some capacity for your entire life. At Lenhart Orthodontics, retainers are fitted a week after braces or aligner attachments are removed and should be worn for about 22 hours daily for the initial 10 weeks, following instructions from Dr. Lenhart and Dr. Sherman.
We offer several types of retainers including clear plastic retainers, Hawley retainers and fixed retainers, usually bonded on the lower arch only. There are pros and cons to each option and this decision depends on the preference of the patient, following advice and recommendations from our doctors and team.
Clear plastic retainers (CPRs) are an aesthetically pleasing, removable option that tend to be the most popular amongst patients at our practice. Once the 10-week period of full-time wear is complete, the usual recommendation is wearing the retainers at night only. Our CPRS are made by our in-house lab specialist with thin, durable material that fit perfectly over the teeth. With care, these retainers can last several years before needing to be replaced.
Fixed retainers or permanent retainers are bonded behind the four front teeth on the lower jaw. This is a great option for patients that may have a hard time remembering to put their retainers back in their mouth, but it can be a little more challenging to practice optimal oral hygiene leading to plaque buildup on the teeth around the wire. Patients with a lower fixed wire should clean under it with floss threaders and report any issues promptly.
Hawley retainers consist of an acrylic molded to the shape of the roof of your mouth along with thin wire that sits against the front and back top teeth. This type of retainer is more commonly used on our younger, phase one patients due to the fact that they are easily adjusted to accommodate growth and tooth changes. If requested, we can have a Hawley made for a teenage or adult patient that may have a tendency to bite or chew a CPR, leading to muscle tension or pain within the temporomandibular joints (TMJ).
Retainers are a lifetime commitment! Continuous retainer use is vital for maintaining teeth alignment and protecting the investment you made to perfect your smile. For those needing a retainer but treated elsewhere, we’re available for consultations and fittings. Call us at (419) 882-6970 to schedule an appointment.
On behalf of the entire Lenhart Orthodontics team, we would like to wish everyone a blessed holiday season and Happy New Year!
