retention.
Retainers
Retainers are devices which hold your teeth in their corrected positions. There are two types of retainers: removable or fixed.
**See risks below.
Removable Retainers:
Vacuum Formed Retainer
This is a thin plastic retainer that covers all the teeth. It is the most commonly used top retainer. Vacuum formed retainers are clear and aesthetic. **See risks below
Hawley retainer
This is an acrylic plate with three wire segments. It is rigid and good for maintaining any expansion of the jaw that was done with a rapid maxillary expander (RME). **See risks below
Bonded Retainers:
Lower hygienic retainer
This is a looped metal bar glued behind the lower front teeth. It is made from 0.5mm stainless steel wire custom bent to fit your teeth with loops incorporated to allow our patients to floss. Hygienic retainers are glued too and hold all the lower front teeth. **See risks below
Upper hygienic retainer
This is a ‘zigzagged’ wire segment that is bonded to the inside of your upper front teeth. It is made from 0.5mm stainless steel wire and is ideal for patients who started off with a gap between their two front teeth. **See risks below
