Once your treatment with Invisalign or braces ends, you will still need to wear some sort of retainer post-treatment. The teeth naturally want to shift back to their original position. There are both clear aligners and traditional retainers to choose from. Your Melbourne orthodontist will make a recommendation based on your individual situation and treatment plan, but it’s good to know the differences between these two options.

Traditional Retainers

A traditional teeth retainer is a custom-fitted device that the patient wears in their mouth after orthodontic treatment — either with braces or Invisalign. Their primary purpose is to hold the teeth in their current alignment and prevent them from shifting out of place. After the teeth have been moved by orthodontic treatment, it takes time for the bone around them to rebuild. Once this process is complete, the teeth will have long-term stability in their new positions, and your perfect smile will remain in place!

Hawley retainers are the most common type of retainer used for post-treatment. They’re made from acrylic or hard plastic and a wire. They are custom-fitted to the patient’s mouth, and the doctor can adjust the wire manually to correct or fine-tune the pressure on the teeth.

Hawley retainers are also removable, so they can be taken out for eating, brushing the teeth, and cleaning the retainer. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. While it’s nice to be able to remove the retainer for meals and teeth brushing, it can also be lost or damaged easily. Parents may opt for a permanent or fixed retainer if they are worried about this.

A fixed or bonded retainer is a thin wire attached to the back rows of the teeth to keep them in place. This invisible option is long-lasting, although it can make it more challenging to clean and floss the teeth. There’s no risk of losing a fixed retainer, although it can sometimes be damaged and must be repaired by your orthodontist.

Clear Aligners as a Retainer

Clear aligners are another option for post-treatment. The company that makes Invisalign clear aligners also makes a similar retainer called Vivera. These are made from a durable type of thermoplastic. They’re clear and virtually invisible, just like the Invisalign aligners. However, Vivera retainers are thicker than Invisalign.

Like traditional retainers, these hold the teeth in position to allow time for bone development around the teeth. Vivera retainers are custom-made using 3D imaging technology to be an exact fit for the patient’s teeth. They are comfortable, practical, and estimated to be about 30 percent stronger than traditional retainers.

They can be removed for meals and teeth brushing, and are easy to clean and maintain. The plastic in a Hawley retainer can become warped if exposed to hot water during cleaning, but Vivera retainers are more durable than that. There’s still a risk that they can be lost or misplaced when you take them out, but they are much more difficult to damage than a more delicate traditional retainer.

Cost-wise, a traditional retainer is a much more affordable option for post-treatment. Vivera retainers come in a set of four and cost up to three times more than a Hawley retainer. If price is a factor, patients will want to consider this and discuss it with their doctor.

Individualized Treatment is Important

Your orthodontist will discuss the options between retainers and aligners for post-treatment. Each system has advantages and disadvantages; your doctor will recommend the best choice for your situation. A fixed or bonded retainer is the best option if a patient needs to wear a retainer for an extended period.

Call us for Orthodontic Care in Melbourne, FL.

At Reddick Orthodontics, we’re dedicated to helping our patients achieve their smile goals in the most effective and comfortable ways possible. If you or your child is a good candidate for braces or Invisalign, contact us to schedule an appointment.