Young female patient with beautiful braids, smiling.

Retainers

One of the most important parts of your orthodontic treatment comes at the very end after your teeth are straight, your bite is aligned, and you have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Spillers Orthodontics will provide you with a set of retainers to wear to keep your new smile straight. Your teeth will shift if you do not wear your retainers, so it is very important to wear them as prescribed by Dr. Spillers or Dr. Gordon. During the first couple of months, they generally recommend wearing your retainers twenty-four hours a day, unless eating or brushing your teeth. After a few months, it is fine to begin wearing your retainers just at night, while you are sleeping.

Types of Retainers

Clear Retainer

Our retainer of choice at Spillers Orthodontics is the Essix clear removable retainer. These are made in our office from a clear, plastic sheet which is formed with heat over a model of your teeth. These retainers have a tight fit and hold all of your teeth in position. Another advantage of clear retainers is being able to use them as bleaching trays to whiten your teeth. As with any removable appliance, it is very important to store your retainers in a retainer case when you aren’t wearing them.

Bonded or Lingual Retainer

Bonded retainers, also referred to as “permanent retainers”, consist of a small wire that is attached behind the front teeth with an adhesive. The advantages and disadvantages of a bonded retainer should be considered and discussed before having one placed. Bonded retainers help prevent the front teeth from shifting, but don’t protect the back teeth from moving. These retainers can break or easily become detached from a tooth, resulting in shifting of the teeth often before the patient is aware. Patients must be diligent to keep the bonded retainer clean by flossing with a floss threader daily to prevent tartar buildup. These are not a good choice for people who struggle with oral hygiene. Although Spillers Orthodontics does not generally recommend bonded retainers, we will place them at the patients’ request. We do recommend all patients who have bonded retainers  to also wear clear essix retainers at night to keep their teeth from shifting.

Hawley Retainer

Hawley retainers consist of metal wires and plastic. These retainers are typically for patients needing minor tooth movement. Although they can also be used to retain the teeth, they are the least aesthetic choice.

Retainer Care Instructions

Still have questions about retainers?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at either of our locations in Macon or Warner Robins. If you’re ready to get started, schedule a free orthodontic exam for you or your child today!