Prosper & Melissa Retainers

Orthodontic Aftercare

Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, your braces are off, and your smile is better than ever, you will need to wear a retainer to ensure that your teeth stay in their new position. At Bietsch Orthodontics, we offer our patients removable or fixed retainers to make sure that the time and money you invested in orthodontics is not wasted by keeping the teeth in their ideal positions. Our goal is to help all our patients to maintain a gorgeous, new smile, and retainers do an excellent job in providing this.

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Call us at (972) 934-6222 or contact us online if you would like to learn more about our Prosper retainers or need a retainer replaced.

Types of Retainers

We offer our Prosper patients a variety of retainers based on your needs, including:

• Hawley retainer – this is one of the most common types of retainers and is molded for the roof of the mouth and the backs of the teeth. Typically, Hawley retainers are made up of wires and acrylic that is molded.
• Clear retainer – this option is similar to Invisalign aligners, which can be worn with less visibility and removed from the mouth very easily.
• Fixed retainer – fixed retainers cannot be taken out of the mouth since it is bonded to the back of the teeth.

Retainer Procedure

Dr. Bietsch wants to prevent your teeth from relapse after braces and it may take some time for your teeth to adjust after treatment. He will discuss with you how long, how often, and what time of day you should be wearing your retainer (if it is removable). Of course, the number of your in-office appointments will decrease once the braces are off your teeth, but you will need to have regular check-ups with Dr. Bietsch as suggested.

How Long Do You Have to Wear Retainers After Braces?

The duration of wearing retainers after braces can vary depending on individual circumstances, as advised by Dr. Bietsch. However, it is common for patients to wear retainers for an extended period to maintain the alignment of their teeth. Typically, the initial phase after braces involves wearing full-time retainers, which means wearing them throughout the day and night. This phase may last for several months to a year.

After the initial phase, Dr. Bietsch may recommend transitioning to wearing retainers primarily at night while you sleep. This phase, known as the retention phase, is important for ensuring the teeth remain in their corrected positions. The retention phase can last for a few years or even indefinitely, as long as your orthodontist advises.

It is important to follow your orthodontist's instructions regarding retainer wear and maintenance. Regular follow-up appointments with your orthodontist will allow them to assess the stability of your teeth and determine if any adjustments or modifications to the retainer regimen are necessary. Remember, wearing retainers as recommended is crucial for maintaining the results achieved through braces and to prevent any relapse or shifting of the teeth.

What Are the Benefits of Retainers?

Invisalign Teen makes life with orthodontics so much simpler. There are ultimately zero food restrictions and teeth can be brushed and flossed as normal. Don't want your aligners in all your special photos? Take it out to snap your school or prom pictures. Anxious about playing in the big game with a sports guard and an aligner in your mouth? Keep it in the case until your activity is over!

Life doesn't have to stop for braces and with Invisalign Teen, you get the best of both worlds: invisible and removable.

For additional information on our Prosper & Melissa retainers, call our office at (972) 934-6222 or contact us online today.

Related Reading

• What Type of Retainer is Best?