Retainers help in straightening your teeth or fixing a crooked bite. Dentists usually recommend a removable retainer for minor misalignments. On the other hand, severe difficulties may necessitate using a permanent retainer or surgery. This article has covered everything you need to know about retainers before getting the treatment done.

What is a Retainer?

After braces, your teeth shift into the desired alignment, but teeth alignment can change after some time. Avoid reshifting the alignment orthodontist suggest retainers that help keep them in place.

We have mentioned some different types of retainers commonly recommended by dentists, such as:

Hawley Retainers

Typically, the Hawley retainer is a form of orthodontic retainer that uses a combination of acrylic plate and rigid plastic. It is further associated with a thin metal wire. Professionals mold it to your mouth to fit on the upper surface of your mouth comfortably and adequately.

Clear Retainers

The clear retainers are transparent and composed of translucent plastic, custom-made to fit over your teeth. They are an inconspicuous alternative to the Hawley retainer.

Permanent Retainers:

Permanent retainers keep your teeth from shifting back into their original position. With permanent retainers, patients don't have to remember to replace them. A permanent retainer is a thin metal or strong fiber wire bonded to your teeth with a particular adhesive.

Why are Retainers Important?

It is crucial to know that braces do not guarantee long-lasting results. Teeth can return to their natural or original position after getting released from the pressures of brackets and wires that hold teeth in place. The teeth are likely to revert to their previous misalignment without a retainer soon after removing braces. As teeth get more solidly set, their tendency to shift and regress lessens, but it can remain for 18 months.

A retainer keeps your teeth straight and ensures the most satisfactory long-term outcomes for your smile's appearance. It's especially crucial to wear the retainer as often as possible during the first three to six months after the removable braces. But it'll probably need to be worn for the rest of your life to avoid regression.

How Does a retainer work?

After getting teeth straightened with the help of braces, you'll need a retainer to protect them from moving. The new desired location of your teeth will take at least four to six months to become permanent. During this time, your teeth will attempt to revert to their former position, a process known as relapse—retainers aid in stabilizing teeth when new bone tissue grows around them. Retainers firmly establish their new postures and ensure that they remain upright.

The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Retainers

We have mentioned the best and most effective pros and cons of retainers which will be a help for you in treatment, so make sure of reading these carefully:

Hawley Retainers:

Here are some pros and cons of Hawley Retainers, such:

Pros:

• They are simple to mold to the patient's mouth, and they can be adjusted over time if necessary.
• They are custom-made according to your needs.
• The material used for making Hawley retainers is long-lasting and tough to harm.
• It is simple to clean Hawley retainers.
• They are removable for simple cleaning and maintenance,
• There are no restrictions on food and drinks due to Hawley retainers

Cons:

• They stand out more than other retainers (wire sits in the front)
• The use of a plastic plate in Hawley retainers can be unsettling.
• Hawley Retainers offer challenges such as trouble speaking.
• Lips, gums, and tongue irritation may occur with a bulkier appliance.
• Bacteria might proliferate if not adequately cleaned.
• Teeth can shift if you avoid wearing retainers regularly and enough.
• It is possible for a removable retainer to be broken, misplaced, or damaged.
  
  CLEAR RETAINERS

Here are some pros and cons of clear retainers:

Pros:

• Since it is nearly undetectable, you're more likely to wear it.
• These retainers aren't as big as a Hawley retainer and may be more comfortable.
• It is less likely than a Hawley retainer to influence your speech.

Cons:

• If you need to realign them, modification isn't possible.
• These retainers cannot get repaired if it cracks or breaks.
• These retainers have a more significant impact on your speech than permanent retainers.
• If these clear retainers get exposed to heat, they may deform.
• These retainers become more noticeable over time and discolor (and become more prominent).
  
  Permanent Retainers:

Here are some pros and cons of Permanent Retainers such as:

Pros:

• It's easier to maintain your teeth in place once your braces come off because you don't have to take them on and off.
• Because it's bonded behind your teeth, no one else knows it's there but you.
• You won't feel self-conscious about wearing it in public because it has little to no effect on how you speak.
• It's impossible to lose because it's firmly fastened with dental glue.
• It's tough to harm your mouth from typical daily use.
• Because the retainer is always in position, it maintains your teeth in place and helps to keep them aligned.

Cons:

• Repairing a permanent retainer can be a time-consuming and unpleasant procedure. Attaching a retainer to your teeth can take up to an hour.
• It cannot be easy to brush and floss around a permanent retainer.
• If you do not adequately care for and clean your bonded retainer, you risk cavities and gum disease.
• It can be unpleasant to have a metal object in your mouth. Your tongue may brush against the wire, and if the bond fails or the wire breaks, it may scratch or irritate your tongue.

How much do orthodontic retainers cost?

We have mentioned the cost of different types of retainers below for your consideration, such as:

Hawley retainer cost:

The cost of a Hawley retainer varies between $150 and $300.

Permanent retainers cost:

The cost of permanent retainers ranges from $150 to $500.

Essix retainers cost:

Essix retainers range in price from $150 to $50 for a complete set of top and bottom retainers.

Takeaway!

We hope you liked this article and now you have a comprehensive piece of knowledge about retainers and their advantages and disadvantages. The retainers type depends on your teeth and why you need braces.

With the help of an orthodontist, you'll be able to find the best suit for your teeth. But don't forget to think about your style preferences and the amount of time and effort you're willing to put into retainers. You'll most likely be wearing and maintaining your retainer for months or years. You must choose the right one and strictly follow the instructions.