Retainers and Orthodontic Treatment Follow-up

Although you will no longer need to wear braces, your orthodontist will recommend that you wear a retainer for best results. Retainers are orthodontic appliances that keep your teeth from moving out of alignment, thus keeping your smile straight and beautiful for years to come. Retainers are essentially an insurance plan for life after braces.

There are several different types of retainers that your orthodontist can recommend, and often people get both after their braces are removed. The retainers orthodontists use are either removable or fixed.

Fixed Retainers

Fixed retainers are bonded to the back of the teeth so that they are almost invisible. This type of retainer is most commonly used for the lower teeth.

Removable Retainers

Once your braces are removed, they typically need to be worn all day for half the duration of your treatment at first, and then only at night after that. However, your orthodontist may recommend a specific treatment plan to keep your teeth aligned. Caring for your retainer is relatively simple, just like an extension of your mouth, use your toothbrush and fluoride mouthwash to keep your retainer clean.