Retainers in Post Office Square, Boston, MA

What Is a Retainer?

Teeth like to shift. If there is a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth will shift to fill the space. Once you are out of braces, your teeth will naturally want to shift back into their original position.

Does this mean that was the best position for your teeth? No. If your teeth were misaligned, they need to be corrected to reduce bite pressure stress on your teeth and strain on your facial muscles.

However, the teeth are used to being in a certain position, so they will start to shift back to that position. We can prevent this from happening by maintaining the proper position with a retainer.

Retainers are custom-made orthodontic appliances. Your Post Office Square dentist will recommend that you wear your retainer for an extended period (sometimes a few years, sometimes a lifetime) after you have completed orthodontic treatment. After your first year of orthodontics, your dentist will likely recommend that you wear your retainer 24/7.

Types of Retainers

We offer a variety of retainers to fit our patients' needs and preferences.

Hawley Retainer

The Hawley retainer is the most common retainer option. It is made of acrylic and a wire. The acrylic covers your palate, while the wire (similar to an archwire that is worn with traditional braces) covers the front of your six front teeth.

Hawley retainers are one of the most versatile options because acrylic comes in a variety of colors. You can choose a solid color or mix and match to create fun designs. It is totally up to you.

Clear Retainer

If you are concerned about esthetics, you can choose a clear retainer. It is the same design as a Hawley retainer but made with clear acrylic. The wire that goes across your front teeth is transparent.

Permanent Retainer

If a removable retainer is contraindicated, your Post Office Square orthodontist might recommend a permanent retainer. This requires some time in the dental chair, but the procedure is easy and straightforward. We simply bond a wire to your teeth. We can keep it discreet by bonding it to the back of your front teeth. Your dentist will help you decide whether the retainer should be bonded to the upper or lower teeth.

Vivera Retainer

A Vivera retainer is made of the same material as Invisalign clear aligners. Like those aligners, this retainer fits over your teeth. The plastic used to fabricate the retainer is heavy-duty and durable. Plus, it is virtually invisible, so it is another great option for those who are concerned with esthetics.