As your choice for an adult and kids orthodontist in Toronto and North York, we at City Orthodontics are happy to provide our patients with top-notch care throughout the entire orthodontic process. While you may be excited in anticipation of your orthodontic treatment ending when your braces come off, or your last Invisalign aligners are worn. We want to give you a heads up that the process isn’t quite over just yet. There’s still one stage to go – the retention stage, which is a vital part of the orthodontic process.
Retention is known as the last stage of orthodontic treatment. In this phase, you’ll wear an orthodontic appliance, known as a retainer. While orthodontic treatment had the purpose of moving your teeth into a straight, more attractive alignment, the retention phase is needed to maintain this positioning. If a retainer isn’t used, your teeth might shift back into their previous positions, erasing all the time and effort you put into giving yourself a much-improved smile. However, by using a retainer, you’ll be able to keep your teeth from shifting and retain your new, beautiful smile.
These work similarly to Invisalign. Just like Invisalign, these retainers are made out of thin, transparent plastic that is designed to fit over your teeth precisely. The number one advantage of these retainers is that they’re virtually invisible – there’s no wire to show, making it so that others won’t know that you’re wearing a retainer. Unfortunately, they’re not as durable as the Hawley retainer, and they aren’t recommended for patients with certain conditions, such as teeth grinding.
A Hawley retainer will use a thin, tongue-shaped piece of acrylic that’s molded to fit your mouth along with a wire that holds your teeth in position. This retainer is durable, easy-to-remove, and capable of correcting minor tooth movements. If you’re interested, it can even be personalized as you can choose designs and colors for the plastic arch.
As its name implies, a fixed retainer can’t be removed by a patient. Like with lingual braces, it uses a wire that’s bonded to the tongue (or lingual) side of the teeth to provide a discreet treatment. Fixed retainers are often recommended when there’s a higher risk that teeth may revert to their previous, unfavorable positioning.
To keep your retainer fresh and free of germs, you should clean your retainer regularly. The proper way of cleaning will depend upon what kind of retainer you have. A Hawley retainer can be cleaned by brushing with a regular toothbrush. However, brushing may scratch a clear aligner retainer. For any removable retainers, you can use denture (or special retainer) cleaners. Regular brushing and flossing can clean fixed variants. If you need help with your flossing, we recommend using either a proxabrush or a floss threader.
The last thing we want to mention is if you have a removable retainer, you should always remember to take a retainer case with you. If you have to take your retainer out, you should place it in the case. This way, you won’t end up accidentally losing your retainer.
Visit Your Toronto and North York Kids Orthodontist!
If you’re interested in braces or Invisalign instead of retention, we invite you to schedule an appointment with your North York and Toronto adult and kids orthodontist. To do so, feel free to give us a call at (416) 222-3223. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope to see you soon!
Still have some questions? Here are a few most patients ask.
The retention phase is the last part of orthodontic treatment. It starts once your braces come off or you finish using Invisalign aligners. During this time, you wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new, straight positions.
If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth might move back to where they were before treatment. A retainer keeps your teeth in place and helps you keep the results you worked for.
An Essix retainer is a clear, thin plastic retainer that fits over your teeth, much like an Invisalign aligner. It’s almost invisible because it doesn’t have any wires. However, it’s not as strong as a Hawley retainer and isn’t a good choice if you grind your teeth.
A Hawley retainer has a thin, acrylic base shaped to fit your mouth and a wire that holds your teeth in place. It’s sturdy, easy to take out, and can even fix small tooth movements. You can also choose different colors or designs for the acrylic part.
A fixed retainer is a wire that’s glued to the back of your teeth, so you can’t take it out yourself. Dentists often suggest this type if your teeth are more likely to move back to their old positions.
You can take out Essix and Hawley retainers yourself, but a fixed retainer stays attached to the back of your teeth all the time. Your orthodontist will help you choose the best type based on your needs.
No, you shouldn’t brush a clear (Essix) retainer with a regular toothbrush because it can scratch the plastic. It’s better to use a cleaner made for dentures or retainers. You can safely clean a Hawley retainer with a regular toothbrush.
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Clear Aligners are a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that does away with the wires, brackets, and bands of braces entirely, instead using a series of clear, removable plastic trays – called aligners – to straighten teeth.
Clear Aligners Teen gives growing smiles the freedom they need. Designed with built-in indicators and room for erupting teeth, it’s the perfect fit for teens on the move.
Clear Aligners uses custom-made, clear aligners to gradually move your teeth — no brackets or wires required. It’s nearly invisible and designed for comfort and convenience.
Whether it's your first visit or you’re a returning patient, our team is here to provide you with personalized care in a relaxed and friendly environment.
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