Retainers come in two general types.
Removable Retainers are a very thin plastic mouth guards which are comfortable to wear and are worn just in bed at night.
As a general rule, we recommend that teenagers wear their retainers at least until they finish growing as a minimum and continue to wear them indefinitely in the long term if you want to maintain the alignment of your teeth.
Fixed Retainers consist of a fine wire glued to the tongue side of the teeth; these are generally left in place for an extended period of time, often many years, we would still recommend a removable retainer is also worn over the top of this at night. Your orthodontist can discuss the indications and your suitability for a fixed retainer.
Retainers are a vital element of Orthodontic treatment and worth asking your Orthodontist about if you want further information.
Retention comes at the end of your treatment, but we can explain the role it plays in your treatment at your free consultation. Take the first step to a beautiful smile Book your free consultation with one of our Specialist Orthodontists.