Maintenance is the key to keeping things last long, same is the case with dental treatments especially orthodontic treatment. Having braces is a battle in itself but to maintain its results, which are aligned teeth and a beautiful smile, your Orthodontist would recommend you a dental retainer. Here is everything you need to know about a Dental Retainer!
Retainers are custom-made orthodontic appliances that are used to keep teeth in position. They are made up of metal or plastic and are of two types:
As the name suggests, they can be worn and taken out as per need and are easy to use. They are either removable metal retainer (metal wire with central plastic body, are called Hawley’s Appliance) or clear /plastic removable retainer (transparent just like Aligner tray closely adapted to teeth).
These are custom-made thin wire bonded to the inner surface of upper and lower teeth called Lingual Retainers as well.
Your orthodontist is the best person who can help you choose what is the best kind of retainer for you so always consult him/her first.
There are multiple reasons why a patient needs dental retainers. Firstly, after your smile journey has been completed with Aligners or Braces are off, the new bone formation has not been fully matured and is yet soft, so teeth will move back to their previous original position if they are not retained in new positions with some retentive device. The patient has to wear a retentive device according to the orthodontist's advice until the bone is fully mature and hard. The approximate time duration to wear dental retainers is 6 months to 2 years or throughout life, If the patient doesn’t go for the retainers it can disrupt the ideal tooth position achieved by the orthodontic treatment either by Aligners or fixed braces (which is called a relapse) thus we need retainers to maintain the ideal position of teeth achieved after treatment.
Sometimes, an orthodontist may need to move a single mal-aligned tooth or close minute spaces between teeth, for which he would recommend retainers. Retainers can also be prescribed to aid in habit breaking such as tongue thrust (tongue slides through when one talks), bruxism (grinding of teeth unconsciously) and helps with breathing problems (e.g., mouth breathing) as they apply pressure to the soft palate which alters the way one breathes.
An Orthodontist, who is a qualified person in treating mal-aligned and mal-positioned teeth and jaws, can prescribe a retainer so you should always visit an orthodontist for Aligners, braces, and retainers.
According to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, the minimum time one should wear retainers is 4-6 months as it takes almost 4-6 months for a new tooth position to become permanent. According to the survey conducted in 2018, the minimum time for retainer use should be 10 months. However, it depends on case to case and your Orthodontist, so always consult your orthodontist on your duration of use. Our Aligners provider recommends dental retainers after aligner treatment for two years at bedtime. Wearing your retainer regularly can help the gums and bones to realign, further stabilizing your bite hence regular use should be encouraged. Remember Retainers only work when you use them!
Take care of your retainers like your teeth, and scrub them with a toothbrush and water after each use. Avoid using toothpaste for the retainer as it contains abrasives and causes scratches that will make it difficult to clean. Always brush your teeth before using your retainers. After wearing your new retainer, if your gums react and cause soreness, you have to inform your orthodontist and make an appointment immediately without doing any amendments to retainers by yourself as there is nothing that some warm salt water rinses can’t fix. Further instructions and guidance can be provided by your orthodontist. Don’t forget to store it in a storage box!
Retainers are used to maintain and avoid deviation of newly achieved teeth position after aligners treatment or braces are off while Aligners are clear, invisible braces that bring malposition teeth to the ideal and desired teeth positions.
Fixed retainers are ones put on by your Orthodontist, you cannot remove them by your self hence they are more expensive than removable retainers. They usually range from 15,000 to 30,000 rupees for each arch. Fixed retainers cost also depend upon the factors discussed in below questions answers.
The cost of a dental retainer depends on clinic location (Hospital/ private clinic), your orthodontist experience, pairs of retainers, currency exchange rates, types of retainers (removable/fixed), the material of retainer( transparent plastic tray/ hard plastic tray with metal wire), dental insurance coverage and follow up visits. So always ask your orthodontist how much he is going to charge you for it. The cost is usually quoted for one arch so make sure you ask about both upper and lower retainer charges if you need both.
One should always consult their orthodontist for price quotations because the charges may vary from person to person, or country-wise, due to currency exchange rates, as some people may require upper or lower teeth retainers while some may require both. Some patients demand an extra pair of retainers, It also depends on your practitioner; your orthodontist may charge you individually for a retainer or they may include it in your orthodontic treatment package. Always ask your orthodontist to get you an extra set of the retainer in case you break or lose the first one. Prices also may vary on the kind and thickness of the retainer. Always check with your insurance company if they would cover the cost of your retainer. Good News for you is that Aligners Brand is providing two pairs of retainers in the Aligners box, free of cost for a budget-friendly treatment for our valued patients.
The cost of a retainer can vary so always consult your orthodontist; normally it ranges from 100 to 150 USD. Retainers can be of metal or plastic so their price also depends on the material they are made of another thing that affects the cost of a retainer is the lab which makes your retainer and depends upon the factors already described above.
Hawleys Retainers are only repairable professionally, one shouldn’t mess with them or try to fix them by themselves if you have broken your retainer you should put all pieces of it in a box that comes with it and take it directly to your orthodontist. Hawley’s appliance which is the metal removable retainer is repairable but you need to check with your orthodontist if they would charge you for the repair, However, clear retainers plastic trays are not repairable, in case they are broken, you need to get them re-made as soon as possible to avoid orthodontic relapse, that’s why having a spare retainer helps and we recommend you to ask for an extra pair once treatment is over. In the case of a fixed retainer, if your wire breaks or gets detached, you have to get it re-bond again as soon as possible.
Orthodontic treatment is done to move your teeth to a more desirable position which you always wanted but once the treatment is done, the newly positioned teeth continue their tooth movements because of surrounding immature and soft bone and teeth can go back to their original position which is known as relapse hence to prevent such movements patient use retainers to hold the teeth in its new position and stabilize them until the bone is fully mature and hard. It is like a touch-up treatment post your Aligners or braces. You need to use the retainer for its prescribed time as discontinuing the use of the retainer can cause relapse.
Lingual retainer cost may vary from 80 to 100 USD, depending on the factors explained above in (How much do retainers cost)
Always ask your orthodontist if retainers are included in your Aligners or braces treatment package or if you need to get them to pay separately. Usually, when you get it under a package, it’s cheaper. The cost of the retainer separately ranges from 50 to 70 USD per arch.
Hawley’s retainer cost depends on the dental laboratory if they will charge you more or less depending on dental technician expertise, and country wise (currency exchange rates).
The cost of Hawley's retainer is variable depending on multiple factors, getting them from a dental hospital or institutes or a private clinic, the type of metal used, the thickness of metal, and the type of centre body material but prices vary from 25 to 40 USD for each arch. Provide your dental insurance card to avail discount if you are eligible for this treatment.
Retainer Prices always vary from case to case and country to country, in Australia price of a fixed or permanent retainer ranges from $150 to $500 for a single arch hence for your entire mouth the charges would be $1000.
Fixed retainer, Hawley retainer, and Lingual retainer are repairable while plastic tray retainer is not, repairing cost varies and depends on the extent of damage and type of retainer. Normally the repair cost is 1,500-3,500 rupees.
The latest technology in the retainer is Aligners, Aligners globe, and Invisalign brands retainer with multiple benefits, hence Invisalign has added cost, and it’s relatively on the expensive side than conventional retainers. Cost ranges from 40 to 90 USD per jaw. Aligners and Aligners globe brand provide two pairs of retainers free of cost along with an Aligners box to not put an extra Burdon on the pocket.
One cannot remove a permanent /fixed retainer by own hence requiring the expert help who is your orthodontist. Most of the time removal of a fixed retainer is included in your treatment package but if not, it's 1,000-3,000 rupees. Always ask your orthodontist about extra charges in case of breakage of wire/ debonding and for its removal to avoid any inconvenience during and after the removal of retainers. Get all these records of discussion in written form.
The price of the retainer depends on multiple factors, your location (country), dentist or specialist dentist (orthodontist), dental laboratory expertise, your Orthodontist experience, and type of retainer. Braces specialist (orthodontist) will charge more than a general dentist. Hence always asks your orthodontist about the inclusion of the retainer price in the Aligner/ Braces treatment or not. Usually, the retainer after braces price starts from 5,000 to 15,000 rupees per side (10,000- 30,000 rupees for both upper and lower sides). The good news for you is that the Aligners brand does not charge removable retainer price separately.
The more you take care of your retainer and oral hygiene, the more your retainer will last. The longevity of your retainer also depends on the material and kind of retainer you want.
A plastic removable retainer can last for 1 to 2 years until you use it with care instructions given by your orthodontist.
while Hawley’s retainer can last for indefinite time until you break or lose it.
Removable retainers are good but their effectiveness depends on the person wearing them. If you wear them timely as per prescription and recommended duration you will have great results but if you will be inconsistent then you will not get the desirable result Hence you need to comply with your orthodontist and use your retainers regularly.
A removable retainer is a post Aligners/ braces retention treatment that helps your newly aligned teeth to be in an ideal position and prevents their movement back to the original tooth position while you’re periodontium which is your bone and your gums tries to adjust in a new position. This usually takes about 6 to 12 months or sometimes 1 to 2 years. The duration for which one needs to wear a dental retainer varies from patient to patient. Mostly maximum time of retention with a removable retainer is 2 years.
Yes, a permanent retainer is better than a removable one as you don’t need to care about wearing them or taking them off. They are more effective because they are fixed permanently on the back side of your teeth and provide retention 24 hours a day while removable retainers are used on and off as per the patient’s convenience and need. The chances of breakage in a permanent retainer are very less than that of a removable retainer.
Permanent retainers are the ones in which a wire is fixed on the back side of your teeth with the help of dental cement or glue, it is a permanent soft wire which is fixed by your orthodontist.
It lasts for a very long time or in some cases throughout life depending upon your type and cause of malocclusion. Sometimes chewing on hard or sticky food is chewed the cement chipped off; in that case, you need to visit your orthodontist for its repair.
Yes, getting a permanent retainer is definitely worth the effort and money as it gives you long-lasting maintenance of your orthodontic treatment. Moreover, you are free from the hassle of wearing and taking out a removable retainer. You’re already used to wearing braces for years so fixed retainers won’t be uncomfortable for you, but in the case of treatment with Aligners you will feel a little discomfort with a permanent retainer at the start, you will get used to it by time.
• You don’t need to take in/out your retainer.
• No extra need to clean the retainer, just simple oral hygiene maintenance will do the job.
• They have more durability as there is a lesser chance of fracture of the retainer.
• They have longer use hours and hence are more effective.
• They are bonded at the back of your teeth so no aesthetic concern.
• Having hard or sticky food can de-bond the wire.
• It is difficult to keep lingual/ palatal surfaces of teeth clean.
The permanent retainer can take a toll on your teeth as it is very hard to brush and floss around the tooth and there is an increased risk of gum disease, tongue ulcers, and dental cavities. The retainer is a wire bonded to the tooth surface, whenever it is broken chances of chipping off a little bit of enamel and damaging the tooth surface occur.
The duration for which fixed retainers last depends on the patient’s usage. If you follow all the instructions given by your orthodontist and take good care of your oral hygiene and your retainers, cleaning them properly then your retainers will last for a long time, provided you break them accidentally!
Yes! a fixed retainer is a much better option because you do not tend to lose it and you cannot forget to wear it as they are fixed onto your teeth by your orthodontist hence in terms of long duration of use, fixed retainers are better and they provide long-lasting retention to your braces treatment.
A fixed retainer is provided by your orthodontist after your Aligners and braces treatment. it is used to keep your teeth in the new position and prevent them from moving back to the original position which was not aesthetically acceptable hence you should use your retainer for the duration your orthodontist asks you to use, for long-lasting aesthetic results.
Yes, after correction of some misalignment cases like genetic causes, mouth breathers, and severe crowding cases, Fixed retainers are permanently fixed onto your teeth by your orthodontist, by using a dental cement or gum he fixes a wire on the inside surface of your teeth which cannot be removed by the patient himself. If your fixed retainer is causing trauma to your soft tissues your orthodontist can remove them so always consult your orthodontist for any inconvenience.
For choosing the correct type of retainer, you should communicate with your orthodontist as every type has its pros and cons. For example, if you need a clear, aesthetically accepted retainer you should go for a plastic retainer but if you want a retainer that gives maximum results you should go for fixed retainers and if you want a More affordable retainer, you should go for a Hawley's retainer.
Every kind of retainer has its benefits; it all depends on what you want and what your orthodontist suggested to you according to your teeth. A clear retainer is more aesthetically acceptable as it is closely adapted to your teeth, you don’t feel the discomfort while wearing them, and you feel confident while wearing a clear retainer because only you know you are wearing a retainer while a metal retainer can only be used when you are not in the public eye. In the case of a fixed metal retainer, it’s quite hard to maintain your oral hygiene.
There are 2 types of retainers, fixed retainers, and removable retainers. Fixed retainers are placed by your Orthodontist and can’t be removed on your own, while removable retainers can either be clear retainers or metal retainers (Hawley’s retainers) and you can wear and remove them at any time. Your orthodontist will guide you on which one is suitable for your individual case needs.
The three kinds of retainers are clear removable, metal removable (also called Hawley’s Appliance) and metal fixed retainers (they can be on upper and lower teeth, in lower teeth, they are called Lingual retainer).
After your orthodontic treatment i.e. with aligners or your braces, your teeth tend to shift back to their original position due to normal activities like chewing, talking, etc. due to soft bone. To prevent your teeth from going back to their old position your orthodontist recommends you use a dental retainer to retain your newly aligned teeth in their new positions until the bone gets hard and mature.
A removable tooth retainer is a device that you use to keep your teeth in place after your Aligners or braces treatment hence if you take care of your retainer so that you don’t lose or break it. It will last you years. On the other hand, a fixed retainer is placed in your mouth so you need to take care of it by avoiding chewing on hard and sticky food. If well taken care of it will last for a longer period.
The retainer's job is to keep your teeth in the newly aligned position after Aligners/braces are removed they only tend to maintain the results achieved after your orthodontic treatment and have no contribution in making any tooth movement but to retain the new ideal position that is achieved with Aligners or braces. Therefore retainers do not correct teeth but they maintain a tooth that is corrected.
It takes almost 6 to 12 months for a tooth movement to become permanent in a new position. The minimum time you need to wear your retainer is 4-6 months but always follow your orthodontist's advice as every patient’s case is different. One might need more or less than the average time of retainer use.
You have to wear a retainer, for 8 to 22 hours a day, after Aligners or braces treatment. Your orthodontist is the best one to suggest exact hours because every patient's misalignment case is different. Most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers 22 hours a day for three months and then only have to wear them at bedtime for six months to two years of completion of treatment. It is advisable to pay regular visits to an orthodontist even after the retainer’s period in a growing child to avoid relapse and any irregular tooth or jaw moments till the age of 24 years. In the case of fixed retainers, there is no hassle of wearing and removing the retainers and time duration.
After your orthodontic treatment ( Aligners and braces) is completed, you need to use a retainer as per your dentist’s suggestion. The function of a retainer is to hold your teeth in place and keep them from moving back to old positions which is called relapse. Hence to prevent a relapse, you need to wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist.
The time duration you need to wear your retainers depends on your misalignment case like in generalized spacing, severe misalignment of jaw and teeth running in families, and in mouth breathers cases, where the patient refuses to go for ENT surgeon treatment options, one needs to wear their retainers for a long time probably a lifetime because in such cases you need good retention and the chances of relapse are very high. In these cases, your orthodontist advice you fixed retainer while in other mild cases use of a retainer either fixed or removable can be limited to up to 6 months.
Both retainer and braces have different functions and cannot be compared as braces are used to move your teeth to a more favorable position while retainers are used after your braces are off for retention of the new position of your teeth. In every case wearing a retainer after your Aligners and braces are mandatory.
A dental retainer is an orthodontic appliance that is used after your Aligners/braces treatment. Its cost is variable and it depends on multiple factors discussed at the start of the article, but the average range of the cost is 50 t0 160 USD. The variation of the cost is mostly how long to wear retainers in a day due to the material ( plastic tray or hard tray), and type (fixed and removable).
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