Retainers

Retainers in Santa Rosa, CA

Achieving Long-Lasting Results

inserting clear aligner

Retainers: the key to preserving your hard-earned smile

You’ve worked hard to develop a healthy and appealing smile—now it’s essential to retain it! A retainer is a custom-made oral appliance used to maintain the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment.

Teeth tend to shift as you age. The retainer ensures that your teeth remain in correct alignment for optimal oral health, function, and appearance. A retainer can last for years if you take good care of it.

Main types of retainers:

Clear retainers: Clear retainers are similar to clear aligners. They are made of clear plastic and fit snugly over the teeth. A clear retainer is usually more discreet than a Hawley retainer, although it may not be as durable.

Fixed retainers: Fixed retainers are also called bonded or permanent retainers. They are permanently attached to the backside of the lower front teeth to prevent the teeth from shifting out of place. Fixed retainers can only be removed by your orthodontist, so there’s minimal effort for patients to wear them properly.

Hawley retainers: This popular retainer consists of wires and clasps embedded in a plastic body that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper arch) or lies along the tongue side of the teeth (for the lower arch). The clasps fit around certain teeth to anchor the retainer in place, while the wire arches across the front of the teeth to maintain their alignment.

clear aligner and toothbrushes

Caring for your retainer

Always wear it: Dr. Lynskey will give you clear instructions on how long will need a retainer and for how many hours each day you should wear it. Following those guidelines is vital to smile maintenance.

Brush it daily: Brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth. It’s important to keep your retainer free from plaque and food particles that can invite tooth decay and gum disease. You can soak it in a denture cleaner, too, but daily brushing is indispensable.

Case it immediately: If it’s not in your mouth, it’s got to be in its case. Retainers are easily lost, especially in lunchrooms and restaurants. Your case also protects the retainer from damage or from becoming your pet’s chew toy.

Dr. Lynskey wants to keep your smile straight, healthy, and attractive. She’ll choose a retainer for your lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today to get a beautiful forever smile

 

I Need a New Retainer

Retainer Protection Program

Protecting your stunning, white smile just got easier! With our six-year retainer protection program we’ll cover the replacement of up to four Essix (Clear) retainers annually. That’s a $4,320 value!

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Get in Touch!

707-525-1180

95 Montgomery Dr # 220 Santa Rosa, CA 95404