If you have achieved good results from braces or Invisalign treatments, and you are looking to “retain” the movements or keep the shape already achieved

What is a Retainer?

Retainers are dental mouthpieces that prevent your teeth from moving after they have been straightened with braces or Invisalign aligners. It can take between 4-6 months for the new position of your teeth to become permanent. During this time, your teeth will try to shift back to their original position, which is known as relapse. When used as instructed, a retainer prevents this from happening. Even after your teeth have permanently positioned themselves inside of your mouth, chewing, growth, and general everyday wear can still lead to relapse. So, your dentist might recommend that you use a retainer for the rest of your life.

A retainer may either be removable or permanent. There are various options such as bonded, plastic, Hawley, Essix and Vivera retainers. Your dentist will help you decide which one is best for you, based on your specific needs and circumstances. Let Chinook Smiles help you retain the results of your orthodontic work that you have spent time and money to achieve.

Types of retainers – Permanent retainer

A permanent retainer is not really “permanent” – rather, it is bonded (glued) to your teeth on the backside (where your tongue touches them) and connects the front teeth so they won’t move. It can be installed or removed by your dentist.

Generally, the permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of your top and/or bottom teeth (depending on the specifics of your treatment). For this reason, another name for a permanent retainer is lingual wire. The wire is hidden from view on the back of your teeth, so the permanent retainer protects the results of your orthodontic treatment without any interruption to your new smile.

Permanent Retainers are simple to care for, but it is important to maintain oral hygiene every day to keep your teeth clean.

Types of retainers – Vivera retainer

When you’re done with your Invisalign™ treatment, you’ll wear retainers to protect the results of your treatment and keep your healthy, fresh smile in place. Retainers are an important part of the Invisalign process that prevents your teeth from drifting out of alignment.

There are multiple forms of retainers, but Vivera™ retainers are traditionally used after Invisalign treatment. These clear retainers are made of the same premium-grade SmartTrack™ material as the aligners themselves, so you’ll get the same comfort, convenience, and effectiveness from the retention stage as the treatment stage. They are made of thicker material, designed to last for years without breaking, cracking, or losing their shape.