Retention

At Knoxville adult orthodontics, we believe that everyone deserves a smile they're proud of. Personalized, high-quality treatment plans are designed by our highly trained orthodontic specialists to meet the unique needs of every patient. For the best possible orthodontic care, we stay current with the latest technology.

The Benefits of Retainers

Mother and son.

A retainer is worn after braces in orthodontics during the retention phase. The purpose of a retainer is to hold your teeth in their new positions until your orthodontist in Fountain City, TN, tells you that you no longer need to wear one. 

You may need to wear your retainer for several years or just a few months, depending on your case. While your teeth may be in new positions, their supporting bones, ligaments, and tissues have not yet been adopted. Your teeth will simply move back to their original positions if you don't wear a retainer!

 

Types of Retainers

Types of orthodontic retainers.

Your orthodontist in Fountain City, TN, offers several types of retainers to keep your smile looking its best.

1. The Hawley Retainer

There is no doubt that this is the most iconic retainer. Essentially, a piece of acrylic is molded to fit the roof of your mouth and a wire holds there that holds teeth in place. 

2. The Clear Aligner

Similar to Invisalign clear aligners, this fits directly over the teeth. Due to their thin, see-through plastic construction, they are virtually invisible when worn. They're convenient and easy to remove, but they aren't as durable as a Hawley retainer.

3. The Fixed Retainer

Patients at high risk for shifting their teeth after orthodontic treatment may benefit from this type of retainer, also known as a bonded retainer. The patient cannot remove it since it's cemented in place. When it is no longer needed, your orthodontist will remove it.

Getting Used to Your New Smile

Your Bearden orthodontist offers a variety of retainers to patients. There are simple wire-and-acrylic appliances that fit over the back teeth, as well as custom-made, comfortable retainers that cover the entire mouth. 

Your Bearden orthodontist also offers free adjustments to make sure your retainer fits well and continues to work properly. After getting your braces off, you must wear your retainer 24 hours a day. With time, you can reduce your wear to just at night, every other night, and eventually just a few nights a week. 

Taking Care of Your Retainers

Here are some tips for taking care of your retainer:

  • Put your retainer in after brushing your teeth. It will help to remove any food particles that might get trapped under the retainer and cause decay.
  • Make sure you clean your retainer every day. Retainers can be cleaned using a toothbrush or soaking solution.
  • When wearing a retainer, avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods. Plastic or wire can be damaged by these foods.
  • Before playing sports or participating in other activities where your retainer could be lost, remove it.
  • When not wearing your retainer, store it in its case. You will be able to keep it clean and prevent it from getting lost if you do this.

Get in Touch with Your Knoxville Adult Orthodontics Today

Your Bearden orthodontist is enthusiastic about helping our patients get the beautiful, healthy smiles they deserve! As one of the leading orthodontists in Fountain City, TN, we offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments, including braces and Invisalign. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about retention or how to get to our Knoxville adult orthodontics office. Our contact page or (865) 687-6560 can be used to reach us. You can also make an appointment on our simple online form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!