retainers

Removable retainer (Vacuum formed retainers)

Following completion of orthodontic treatment long term aftercare is of great importance in maintaining the position of your teeth and your treatment outcome. The reason for this is as human bodies are continually changing as we age and move through life. As a result is possible that the position of teeth may change slowly over time. Therefore as with many aspects of our bodies your teeth and bite require maintenance over the long term. Following orthodontic treatment this maintenance is undertaken with use of retainers.

Broadly speaking there are two types of retainer; Removable retainers which are usually worn at night time and Fixed Bonded retainers which are glued to the inside of the front teeth which are present full time. Of these two types of retainer by far the more important are removable retainers worn regularly at night time into the long term.

Removable retainers

Vacuum form retainers are the most commonly provided removable retainer. These retainers are usually constructed of 1mm thick clear plastic which is adapted to fit closely to all of the teeth surfaces. These retainers, when worn nightly, are effective at maintaining the position of all teeth and the bite. Vaccum form retainers might be expected to last for 1 - 3 years depending upon individual wear and tear before requiring replacement.

Hawley retainers are an alternative form of removable retainer. These retainers are constructed from metallic wire and hard acryllic which is closely adapted to the inside surfaces of all of the teeth. These retainers, when worn nightly, are effective at maintaining the position of all teeth and can allow for small ‘settling’ changes in the bite if required following completion of orthodontic treatment. Hawley retainers are more bulky than vacuum formed retainer and as such are less frequently provided. They are useful in certain scenarios such as following orthognathic surgery and in cases where teeth are absent and prosthetic teeth are to be included within the retainer.

fixed bonded retainers

Fixed bonded retainers can be useful following completion of orthodontic treatment but are best thought of as an aid to maintaining teeth rather than being relied upon in isolation. Fixed bonded retainers are usually constructed from custom shaped small diameter metallic wire which is bonded to the inside surfaces of the front teeth. Fixed bonded retainers are helpful at partially maintaining the position of the front teeth however they do not maintain the position of the back teeth or the integrity of the bite. As such fixed bonded retainers should always be accompanied with use of a removable retainer at night time. Fixed bonded retainers require long term maintenance with meticulous oral hygiene and annual inspection by an orthodontist or general dental practitioner. Fixed bonded retainer might be expected to last for 1 - 5 years depending upon individual wear and tear before requiring repair or replacement.