{ The Online Blog }

ARCHIVES
CATEGORIES
TAGS

ARCHIVES

 
Apr 2021
10th
 

Dental Orthodontic Retainers

At the end of orthodontic treatment, retainers must be worn otherwise you run the risk of undoing all of the hard work straightening your teeth. This is called relapse. We advise a combination approach of a fixed wire retainer placed behind the front teeth as well using a removable retainer at night.

Fixed Retainer

In most cases, we will place the fixed wire retainer immediately after the brace has been removed so that the risk of relapse is minimal. The great advantage of a fixed wire retainer is that it is bonded on to the teeth so that you do not have to worry about removing and wearing it. The wire itself is very low profile and hence non bulky. The glue is very smooth and overall, the retainer is extremely comfortable. Fixed retainers do require greater levels of maintenance and need careful cleaning on a daily basis. There is also the risk that the glue debonds or the wire fractures. If this happens, you must seek immediate advice. This is why we advise the use of a night time retainer as a safety net as well as a back up should anything happen to the fixed retainer.

Removable Retainer

There are many types of removable retainer. We normally recommend a vacuum formed retainer which is commonly known as an Essix retainer. These are made from clear plastic; either from polyethylene co-polymers or polypropylene polymers. They are latex and BPA free. Another common type of removable retainer is the Hawley Retainer. This is a robust retainer that has an acrylic base which sits behind the lower teeth or on the palate of the upper teeth and metal wire that runs across the front 6 teeth. It is held in by cribs which usually sit across the canine and molar teeth. Should you lose or break your retainer, it is essential that another is made as quickly as possible.

How long are retainers worn for?

Retention is for LIFE! If you are not willing to undergo a life time of retention, then you should not start orthodontic treatment. Immediately after orthodontic treatment, we advise the use of a fixed wire retainer as the definitive retainer coupled with the removable retainer at night for 12 months. The removable retainer can then be used 2 to 3 times per week.

Will retainers last a life time?

No. Due to natural wear and tear, retainers will need to be replaced over the years. This will depend on a number of factors such as your bite, cleaning habits, diet and whether you grind your teeth at night for example. Most retainers will need to be replaced every 2 to 3 years.

How to keep retainers clean

Fixed retainers should be brushed as normal using your manual or electric toothbrush. Inter dental brushes such as TePe or Piksters should also be used in between the teeth as regular floss will not pass through beyond the wire. Waterpik and Phillips Airfloss can also be useful to clean between the retainer. Removable retainers should be cleaned with an old tooth brush and toothpaste on a daily basis. Avoid using bleach or mouthwashes as this can lead to the retainer becoming cloudy and discoloured. The use of effervescent tablets such as Retainer Brite can also be useful with occasional use.

How much do orthodontic retainers cost?

The cost of orthodontic retainers will vary depending on dentist or orthodontist. The fee at Progressive Dentistry for both fixed retainer and removable Essix retainer is £350. Individual fees for both retainers is £200. We take 3-D intra oral scans of your teeth to make the retainers hence should you lose the removable retainer, we can simply ask our laboratory to print another model and make a new retainer without you having to set foot within the practice! This is the beauty of digital dentistry.

Make an appointment

If you would like to make an appointment with us for orthodontic retainers or to discuss teeth straightening, please visit our contact page to book online.

fixed retainer

Fixed Retainer

removable essix retainer

Removable Essix Retainer

RELATED POSTS

Sep 2023
25th
 

What is Invisalign Express and How Much Does It Cost?

Invisalign, as you may have seen online or on social media, is the world's most popular clear aligner treatment for straightening teeth. Over 15 million people worldwide have now been treated with the system which just goes to show the universal appeal of Align, the company behind Invisalign. The treatment itself was released in 2000 after a few Stanford University students came up with the concept and today, Align has grown into a huge corporation that also owns i Tero scanners and Exocad digital planning … READ MORE
Jan 2021
28th
 

Complete Smile Transformation Before And After

Time has flown by and we forgot to post our case of the month for December so we have decided to combine them with a tremendous case study involving a complete smile transformation. Our client really hated her smile. The main issues were that the smile was not wide enough, the back teeth caved in so that they were not visible on photos and the bite was all over the place. As well as teeth crowding and an overall yellow shade, so a number of aesthetic problems. After careful planning, which is always the key… READ MORE
Apr 2019
12th
 
Jan 2019
9th
 

Happy New Year - Any Resolutions?

We would like to wish you all a very happy new year. Christmas is over with the daily grind in full swing. New Year is typically a time for resolutions and a plan to improve ones health, fitness, diet or general approach to life. We have a few simple resolutions which you may want to consider for 2019: Improving oral hygiene. Oral health is linked to overall health and is simple to improve. Visit our hygienist this month for a full clean and jet wash and advice on how to maintain your gums. Whiten your s… READ MORE
 

TAGS