Dental retainers are custom made appliances that hold your teeth in position and prevents your teeth from shifting. Retainers are often required after an orthodontic treatment has been completed, there are some cases where the dentist will recommend a dental retainer to stop any future shifting. The most common  type of retainers are clear retainers, hawley retainer ( wire retainer), and a fixed retainer. Here we will talk about the pros and cons of the different type of retainers.

Clear retainers are becoming the most popular type of retainer. Clear retainers are not very noticeable and patients feel more comfortable wearing this type of retainer all day. It is custom made specifically to your teeth which prevents   any shifting to happen in your mouth. Cleaning your teeth is much easier, you just removed your retainer and brush  and floss normally, improving your oral hygiene. The clear retainer also works as a night guard which prevents grinding your teeth.The cons of the clear retainer are the first retainer have to be switched during 6 to 7 months,and then depending on the condition of retainer.If the retainer is not cleaned correctly it will begin turn into a dark yellow color. The material is a plastic material that covers your teeth and some people have trouble biting down the the clear material.

Hawley retainer or wire retainer are made of a combination of acrylic and a wire that is bendable. The wire is stretched along the front of your teeth. to prevent any shifting. Cleaning of your teeth and of the retainer is very easy, it is removable so you can brush and floss regularly. This retainer can last a lifetime if taken care of correctly, the orthodontist just have to adjust
the retainer during your check ups. The cons of having hawley retainer it is very noticeable, it’s a wire running through the front of your teeth. Some people don’t feel comfortable with having metal in their mouth. The hawley retainer also covers the roof of your mouth causing people to talk with a lisp until they get use to the retainer.

A fixed retainer is a permanent retainer that is attached to the lingual side of your teeth. They are bonded on the anterior part of the lower and upper teeth, and they can’t be removed by the patient. There in no chance in you losing this type of retainer since it’s bonded to your teeth. Fixed retainers are recommended when there’s a high chance of reversal of the orthodontic treatment. They are usually left a year after your wisdom teeth are out, but some cases are left for a lifetime. The cons are it leads to build up because it is very difficult to clean between the teeth. This also causes your gums to swell and caries in between the teeth.

At Smiles on Bristol Dentistry the type of retainer we recommend to our patients are the clear retainers. They’re called Vivera retainers and are not like the regular clear retainers. Vivera retainers are 30% stronger than regular clear retainers, this helps your teeth stay in the desired position. Vivera retainer because of the thickness helps reduce cracking or breaking of the retainer making it minimal the amount of times you have to switch the retainer. They come in sets of 4 retainers per order and it’s enough sets of retainers to prevent any movement of your teeth.

Retainers should be worn as your dentist recommends you to wear. Our Santa Ana Dentist Dr. Kalantari recommends to his patients to wear their retainer for at least 22 hours a day for the first six months. After the six months depending on the recall exam he can give the same instructions or switch to just night time use. If you have any questions regarding dental retainers you can contact your friendly office of Smiles on Bristol Dentistry./contact-us/