Types of Retainers You Need to Know.

After removing your braces, you must focus on an important part of the orthodontic treatment. Now the retention phase will begin, and it is critical to help your teeth in their place. In this phase, a dentist will install a retainer to maintain your teeth' alignment. However, it's not simply because most people find it difficult to choose between different types of retainers.

Here we will elaborate on all the important things for you. Thus, you will find it easier to decide which one is a good option for you.

What are the different types of retainers to know about?

There are 3 main types of retainers you need to know about, and below are all the details.

• Clear Plastic Retainers

These are the most common ones today, and different names know them. Some know these with the name of Invisalign, while some call these Essix retainers. These are made with clear plastic, so they slide on your teeth, and they are hard to spot on your teeth, which is one of the many reasons for their popularity. These retainers bring an easy solution to maintain the alignment of your teeth.

These retainers are not permanent because you must remove and clean them regularly as per your dentist's recommendations. With so much being good about these, there are a few cons that you need to consider as well

Pros:

1. Easy fitting and stay in place
2. These are comfortable because of their thin plastic
3. Easy to remove

Cons:

1. Keeping them clean is hard
2. They restrict you from touching your natural teeth
3. These wear out faster than other retainers and mostly last up to a year of average usage

• Hawley Retainers

The Hawley retainers use a plastic shell to cover the mouth's roof while there is a wire attached to that shell. That wire goes around the front teeth. These are available in different styles and allow you to customize things inside your mouth. However, these are not all about the customizations; you can adjust these as well with the assistance of your dentist and get the best alignment. The Hawley retainer comes with its specific pros and cons.

Pros:

1. These are relatively cheaper
2. It can last for up to 20 years of average usage
3. Easy to remove for eating and maintaining your oral hygiene

Cons:

1. Visible metal wire
2. You can accidentally damage these
3. These can be welcome to germs in your mouth

• Fixed Wire Retainers

Also known as Permanent retainers, these are sometimes the best choice for people who need extra security to align their teeth. Here a wire is fixed on the teeth depending on the patient's current alignment, required position, and biting habits. A good thing about these is that you can get these installed as per your comfort requirements after consulting with the dentist.

Pros:

1. These are not visible as the wire is at the back of the teeth
2. It is a fixed solution, so there will be no forgetting to wear these
3. You cannot accidentally damage these, and they last indefinitely

Cons:

1. Can welcome plaque and tartar buildup
2. Maintaining good oral health is a hard job with these
3. You may feel irritation on your tongue because of the wire

Conclusion

For a dental process, ensuring that your orthodontic treatment provides efficient results is essential. Thus, installing the right one from all types of retainers is necessary. Now that you know the different types and their specific details, you can consult with your dentist to figure out which of these will make the best choice for you.

Contact your dentist in Union City, Dr. Zafar Sayeedi at Noble Dental Care to know about the types of retainers.

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition