Posted on May 24, 2019
Your braces are finally off and your teeth look amazing. You find yourself smiling, even when no one is around. You can’t help it. And then the doctors at Harnick Orthodontics remind you of that one little device you’re supposed to wear every night – your retainer. Retainers are custom trays designed to keep your teeth from shifting. Now, I know what you’re thinking, do you really need to wear it every night? Both Dr. David Harnick and Dr. Kari Harnick say the answer is yes. Wearing your retainer is important for keeping your teeth in their correct position. There are two types of retainers, bonded retainers and removable retainers.
Bonded retainers are glued to your teeth with a wire that connects them across the bridge of your mouth. Once you receive your retainers from Harnick Orthodontics, it’s important to have your dentist check your retainer each time you go for a visit. After all, it’s not uncommon for the glue and wires to become loose. If they come loose, the teeth can start shifting immediately so please call in a timely manner.
Removable retainers come in two types, Hawley and Essix. Hawley retainers have an acrylic piece that is molded to the roof of your mouth with base wires that wrap around the front of your teeth. Essix retainers use a single piece of clear plastic that’s been molded to your bite so that it can easily fit over your teeth. Invisalign also offers retainers for when you’ve finished your treatment. They’re called Vivera and are similar to Essix retainers.
Harnick Orthodontics wants to make sure you know keeping your retainers clean is also important. To clean your retainer, soak the retainers in a denture cleaner during the day and rinse well before use. To protect your retainer from any accidents it is best to keep it in its case when you’re not wearing it.
