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Retainers are a device used to hold your new smile following orthodontic treatment. There are several different types of retainer but they all work to hold the teeth in their desired position once any orthodontic treatment is complete. We offer both fixed and removable options for all our patients at Contour.
Removable retainers are the most widely used type or retainer and are provided for all of our patients, both Private and NHS, following completion of treatment. They are custom made clear plastic trays designed to fit your teeth perfectly. Adequate retention with this type of retainer can only be achieved through nightly wear.
Fixed or ‘bonded’ retainers are another popular option with our patients, they are small wires shaped to fit behind the upper and lower front teeth to hold them in place and prevent the teeth from moving. Again these are again custom made in the lab and fitted as standard for all of our Private patients. This option is also available to our NHS patients but would incur a private fee.
At Contour Orthodontists we recommend a combination of both fixed and removable retention as the best way of ensuring the teeth do not move once treatment is complete.
Retainers are what stops your teeth from moving again once orthodontic treatment is complete. Put simply if you do not wear your retainers after treatment it is very likely your teeth will move out of line and re-treatment would be required to straighten them again. This would come at extra cost to you, as an investment both financially and of your time.
Retainers are a very important part of orthodontic treatment, so if you have lost or broken your removable retainer you should contact the practice as soon as possible to arrange for a replacement to be made. If the teeth are left without any form of retention for a prolonged period the teeth will begin to move and further re-treatment may be required to straighten them again. If you notice your bonded retainer (fixed) has come away from your teeth or it feels sharp to the tongue you should contact the practice to arrange to have it checked by one of our orthodontic therapists and continue to wear your removable retainers in the meantime.