Retainers & Instructions

Once your braces come off or you are finished wearing your last aligner, you may think you are done. The truth is that you are close to being done. Our orthodontist, Dr. Richard Risinger, will give you a retainer to wear to make sure your teeth settle into their proper positions. If you would like to know more about retainers in Glastonbury, Connecticut, call Risinger Orthodontics at 860-633-8321 today.

Retainers are all about making sure that your orthodontic investment does not go to waste. Getting bone and teeth to move permanently is very difficult to do, which is why orthodontic treatment often takes so long, and even when it is finished, your teeth will still try to drift back to their original position.

Retainers help to make sure that, as you grow, your smile does not revert to its previous, unhealthy alignment. Our orthodontist will instruct you on how to wear and take care of your retainer, and if you make sure to follow his instructions, you can rest easy knowing that your smile will stay properly aligned and healthy.

Teens and children sometimes do not understand why retainers are so important, and if your child falls under this category, please talk with our team. We will work with you to help your child understand the benefits of wearing their retainer. The last thing we want is to have one of our patients have to undergo the same orthodontic treatment twice!

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. Our team is excited and experienced, and we are always happy to help answer the questions of our patients.

A retainer is a custom-made oral appliance often used to maintain the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. If you have finished your orthodontic treatment, our orthodontist may recommend a retainer to keep your smile properly aligned. As you age, your teeth tend to shift; the retainer ensures that your teeth remain in correct alignment for optimal oral health, functionality and appearance. There are three main types of retainers available:

Hawley retainers consist 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 retainers 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, also called bonded or permanent retainers, are permanently attached to the backside of the front teeth. They prevent the teeth from shifting out of place and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Retainers are expensive to replace, so there are some things you should do to protect them.

Wear your retainer as instructed by our orthodontist.
Talk to our orthodontist about cleaning your retainer. If you have a fixed retainer, we will explain how to brush and floss it. A removable retainer can be gently brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. It can also be cleaned using water and mild dish soap.
Remove your retainer for meals and during sports or recreational activities.
When you are not wearing your retainer, keep it in the case and make sure to put the case in a safe place.
If you lose or damage your retainer, call our office right away.

Our orthodontist will help you determine whether you need a retainer after your orthodontic treatment. For more information, we welcome you to call us today!