Retainers keep your teeth in place after straightening with braces, aligners, or other devices.
Here’s a look at different types of retainers, their cost, and their pros and cons.
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What Is a Retainer?
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A retainer is a rig that keeps your teeth in place after orthodontic treatment.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainersare retainers that you take in and out yourself.
Healthcare providers use them most often on the upper front teeth.
There are two types of removable retainers, and each has pros and cons.
They are one of the most common kinds of retainers and have been around for close to 100 years.
Clear Plastic Molded Retainers
The other jot down of removable retainer is made of clear plastic orpolyurethane.
To create them, your dental healthcare provider will make a mold of your teeth.
A vacuum equipment pulls it tightly against the mold, so it makes a perfect replica of your teeth.
When you wear it, the clear plastic is barely noticeable, if at all.
Here are some of the pros and cons of removable retainers.
Permanent retainers are most commonly used for lower teeth.
With everyday function, teeth can still move with a permanent retainer in place.
That’s because the wires used in most “permanent” retainers are flexible.
Patients will often notice the permanent retainer broken when the teeth have shifted at the site of breakage.
Here are some of the pros and cons of permanent retainers.
Some representative costs are below, including costs if they are lost, broken, or need adjustment.
They may suggest a combination of retainers: removable for the upper teeth and permanent for the lower teeth.
Remember the pros and cons of each jot down and what will best fit your lifestyle.
In the case of permanent retainers, it can be difficult to keep your teeth clean.
However, floss threaders can get to areas you’re able to’t reach because of the wire.
Water flossers are another option.
They can also cause irritation, but they can be adjusted if so.
Clear retainers are more fragile and more likely to need to be replaced.
Summary
Retainers help keep your teeth in position after orthodontic treatment, like teeth straightening.
Retainers fall into two categories: removable and permanent.
Permanent retainers are fitted and placed by your dental healthcare provider, who can remove them if necessary.
Talk to your dental healthcare provider about which retainer option is the best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Permanent or Hawley wire retainers tend to last longer than clear molded retainers.
In part, it depends on how well you take care of them.
The clear retainers are the most delicate and could last up to three years.
A Hawley retainer can last up to 10 years.
A permanent retainer can last for up to 20 years.
If you have a permanent retainer, try a floss threader to work around the wire.
Water flossers can also work well, though they are a bit more of an investment.
They remove debris with a high-pressure stream of water.
Once you get the hang of it, they can work very well.
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