Retention

Board-Certified Specialists in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry

located at: 12314 Potranco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78253.

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Orthodontic Retention

Retainers are an essential orthodontic treatment option for maintaining tooth alignment once braces are removed. At Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists, retention is considered as crucial as active treatment. Our expert orthodontists counsel patients to design a retention plan specific to the individual to achieve long-term treatment outcomes.

Why is Retention Important?

After orthodontic treatment, teeth move back to their original position. Maintaining the new position of the teeth requires wearing a retainer, which applies pressure to the teeth very gently.

Retainers are either fixed or removable. Fixed retainers are a thin piece of wire on the back of the teeth. Removable retainers are a see-through plastic substance worn over the teeth. Your case will dictate the best retainer for you, and your orthodontist will detail your choices.

Retention Schedule

It is necessary that patients at Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists wear retainers all the time for the first few months after orthodontic treatment. During this time, patients may reduce the number of hours the retainer is worn each day. However, some level of nighttime retainer wear must be continued forever so that the teeth remain in their new positions.
Retention is crucial to orthodontic treatment and can help deliver long-term results.

At Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists, our efficient orthodontists work with patients to develop a tailored retention plan in San Antonio, TX, that meets their unique dental needs. If you would like to know more about retention or to schedule an appointment with one of our orthodontists, please call our practice today.

Once we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of treatment. Maintaining what you have achieved during treatment is the heart of a successful overall orthodontic process. You’ll need to wear your retainers for at least 24 months. The final results of your orthodontic treatment depend on how consistently you wear them, so stick with it to protect the progress you’ve made.

Hawley Retainers

Orthodontist Pediatric Dentist Smiles by Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists resources orthodontics retention 2[/caption]The most common one is the Hawley retainer, which is a removable retainer made of a combination of metal wires and rigid acrylic, which is made to keep your teeth in place. This retainer is specially made from impressions of your teeth so that it fits well and securely in the top portion of your mouth, and any wire or border of acrylic keeps your teeth beautifully aligned. The acrylic can even be painted with a multitude of colors and/or designs.

Fixed Retainers

These retainers are attached to the back portion of your lower eye teeth. This is the best method of keeping your bottom teeth from moving because it’s forever fixed! Like removable retainers, be sure to clean them. At the same time, brush gently inside your bottom teeth as well as on the wire. If your retainer were to break during the retention period, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Call us to schedule an emergency appointment.

Essix Retainer

An Essix retainer is a transparent, removable retainer worn over the entire dental arch. It has no metal wires and is virtually invisible. Essix retainers are very resilient, inexpensive, and easy to wear.