Retainers.
which one?
With so many retainers available, it is easy to get lost in the choices. With our handy chart it simplifies the differences and can help choose what is best.
If you have any questions or an idea for us we would love to talk with you.
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| Common Use | Clear | Colored | Extra Durable | Aligner | Bruxism | Pontic/ Essix Partial | Bite Plate | Fixed | Life Time | Also Known As | |
| 1mm | This is the standard clear retainer | X | X | X | X | 6mo-2yr | Invisalign Like, A, Essix | ||||
| ‘C’ | For use when durability is priority over clarity | X Opaque | X | X | X | 1-3yr | C+ | ||||
| Ultra | Extremely strong and durable, however it may be harder than some enamel. | X | X | X | X | 1-3yr | Vivera, Taglus | ||||
| Bonded Lingual | For patients that have excellent hygiene and don’t want a removable retainer. | X | Up to 20yr | Permanent Retainer, Fixed Retainer | |||||||
| Hawley | The classic all around retainer, simple or complex it does it all. | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 5-10yr | The one with the wires and loops |
Clear Retainers
Using a thermal former our clear retainers adapt very accurately to the teeth compared to those made with a vacuum former.
This is the classic clear retainer, 1mm in thickness and extremely clear.
This material can also be added to, commonly for a bite plate or a bite block to hold the space for a missing tooth.
This material is rigid enough to be a standard retainer yet flexible enough to work well as an aligner.
It is excellent as an essix partial as well. When a short term tooth replacement appliance is needed this is the go to. This is commonly used when an emergency tooth removal is planned or as a temporary when waiting for an implant to heal.
This appliance is expected to last 6 months to 2 years and should be checked annually.
The ‘C’ material is an extremely useful 1mm polypropylene that is extra durable and maintains strength and flexibility. This material is often overlooked because of its opaque ‘foggy’ color.
This is an excellent 1mm retainer for heavy teeth grinders.
We cannot add acrylic to this material.
This appliance is expected to last 1 to 3 years and should be checked annually.
Invisacryl Ultra is an extremely dense 1mm retainer material that has gained popularity for it’s strength and clarity. This material is usually called for when the patient is an extreme bruxer and requests a clear retainer. We recommend prescribing these to be worn on both arches as they have been found to wear down teeth with soft enamel.
We can add acrylic to these if a block or plate is necessary.
This appliance is expected to last 1 to 3 years and should be checked annually.
Bonded Retainers
These are a simple wire that doctor bonds to the lingual of the teeth. These can be made from a straight wire, a braided wire, or a wire with ‘pads’ on the end teeth. On the maxillary we typically use a straight or braided wire spanning the anteriors (the wire with pads can impede occlusion). We like to use the wire with pads on the mandibular for added stability, spanning the anteriors or from first bi to first bi.
Excellent hygiene is necessary, if these are poorly taken care of, plaque and tartar can build up and cause problems.
Hawley Retainers
The ultimate retainer.
The hawley retainer has long been the go to retainer for many reasons, from its strength and adjustability to customizable form and function. The basis of a hawley is a Hawley bow wire across the anterior, some posterior clasping, and an acrylic palate. With some minor modifications we can transform the classic Hawley into many functional appliances. A hawley can be used to make minor tooth movement, close space, add habit former/breaker. Pontics can be added to replace missing teeth. Some even add a biteplate over the incisal edges as a night guard to protect porcelain veneers. On top of all the functional changes that can be made a lot of fun can be had with different acrylic colors and designs.
These have a lifetime of 5-10 years and should be checked annually. Under excellent care we have seen hawleys that have lasted 20 years, with a lifetime like that they should be checked periodically and especially when broken or an issue arises.
