RETENTION

Creating Smiles That Last

You have finally finished braces or Invisalign® treatment, and you are ready to unveil your new, beautiful smile. However, in order to keep your smile straight and healthy for years to come, you will need to regularly wear a retainer! The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is arguably the most important—ensuring your teeth do not shift back into their original positions and protecting the investment you have made in your smile. During the first few weeks of retention, you will need to wear your device whenever you are not eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. Following this period, most patients only need to wear their device at night when sleeping, but should do so indefinitely.

When it comes to retainers, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Joosse Family Orthodontics is proud to prescribe customized retention plans to fit your unique needs. Your treatment goals, lifestyle and comfort are just some of the factors we consider when choosing your retainer.

Retention

Frequently Asked Questions About Retention

  • One set of retainers (one upper, one lower). Additional retainers are available for purchase.
  • One year of monitoring after orthodontic treatment is complete.

Much like some effort/lifestyle changes are required after a diet that allows you to lose weight, retainers are necessary to help preserve the corrections that were made during treatment.

At a minimum, we ask that you wear your retainers every night. In some cases, we will advise they be worn more often than just at night.

Research shows that our teeth continue to move over our lifetime. If you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth will likely shift. We recommend wearing your retainers for your entire life (or as long as you want to keep the smile we created).

When you complete your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Joosse will help you choose the best retainer to keep your beautiful smile in place. At Joosse Family Orthodontics, we offer a variety of options, including Vacuform, conventional and bonded retainers.

Depending on the type of retainer and due to normal wear and tear, you should replace them every few years. You should purchase a new retainer if you lose or break your retainer.

Vacuform Retainers

Vacuform retainer illustration

Also known as:

Essix retainers
Tru-Tain retainers
Vivera retainers

About:

Generally, they are clear & they cover all the surfaces of the teeth, almost like a mouthguard.

Advantages:

  • Most comfortable option which translates to better compliance

  • Most easily replaced

  • Function as night guards and are great for people who grind their teeth

  • Can be used as bleaching trays

  • What Dr. Joosse and most of his team wear

Disadvantages:

  • May not last as long (3-5 years)

  • Requires patient compliance

  • Custom-fit, meaning they may no longer fit after new dental work or several nights without wearing

Conventional retainers

Also known as:

Hawley retainers
Spring retainers
Wraparound retainers

Conventional retainer illustration

About:

These come in many shapes and sizes, but, generally there is a wire that runs on the outside of the front teeth and some sort of acrylic that goes on the inside of the teeth.

Advantages:

  • Longevity. Can last 20-30 years or more

  • Adjustable. They can be adjusted to accommodate minor shifting or new dental work

Disadvantages:

  • Requires patient compliance

  • Probably the least comfortable retainer (though most patients don’t mind)

Bonded retainers

About:

Bonded retainers consist of a wire bonded to the inside of some or all of the teeth they are meant to hold, but are generally used to hold the front teeth in place. Dr. Joosse only prescribes bonded retainers when he feels that they are absolutely necessary. They are often paired with removable retainers.

Advantages:

  • No compliance required

  • Great for holding spaces closed

Bonded retainer illustration

Disadvantages:

  • More difficult to clean around

  • May break or become dislodged, allowing tooth movement

Frequently Asked Questions About Retention

Retention is an important part of orthodontic treatment, and we’re here to help. To learn more about retention and retainers, check out our FAQs below.

If you’ve spent time and effort into achieving the smile of your dreams, you’ll want to keep it forever, too! By wearing your retainers nighttime for a lifetime, you can keep your new, straight smile in place.

Whether you’ve just finished orthodontic treatment or need a new retainer, contact us to request your complimentary consultation. Dr. Joosse will help you find your perfect retainer.

If you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth will likely shift.