Retainers for Antioch, Brentwood, and Oakley, CA
It’s natural to be excited to show it off after all your hard work with orthodontic treatment. However, in order to keep your smile looking its best for years to come, you’ll need to wear retainers! These custom-made appliances help your teeth stay in their new, aligned positions.
Think of wearing retainers as an insurance policy that secures your orthodontic investment. Retainers prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions after you’ve worked hard to complete your active treatment.
Keep reading to learn about our orthodontic retainer options and how our experts at Sheffield & Le Orthodontics can help you maintain your beautiful smile for life!
What is a Retainer and What Does It Do For Teeth?
Your newly aligned smile needs a little help staying perfectly in place after treatment. Even though your teeth are now straight, a natural process called “mesial drift” can cause them to shift back over time. Without retainers, your teeth will want to move back toward their pre-treatment position. This is a normal part of aging. Additionally, your teeth, jaw and muscles are still getting used to their new positions.
That’s where retainers come in! These custom made appliances gently hold your teeth in place, by exerting subtle pressure on your teeth, preventing them from moving. Think about retainers as a “hug” for your new smile. Wearing retainers, especially right after treatment, is essential to protect your amazing new smile.
Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Le can make retainer recommendations, but just remember, the best retainer choice is the one you will wear. We will provide you with specific instructions on how and when you should wear retainers. We’re here to help ensure you can enjoy your beautiful and healthy smile for life!
Types of Retainers Available At Sheffield & Le Orthodontics
We understand every smile is one-of-a-kind! That’s why Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Le offer three retainer options to fit your specific needs and preferences. They’ll review your treatment plan and recommend the best retainer to keep your smile perfect.
Hawley Retainer
A classic choice, Hawley retainers are durable, comfortable and versatile. These removable retainers combine custom-molded acrylic with a wire that gently wraps around your teeth. We can even make minor adjustments to accommodate slight shifts in your teeth, making them suitable for various orthodontic needs after your treatment.
Clear Retainer
Unlike traditional retainers made from metal and acrylic, clear retainers are made out of comfortable plastic, and are made from a digital scan of your teeth at the end of treatment. We provide our patients with the models that the retainers were made from, allowing our patients to reorder replacements if the need arises.
Fixed Retainers
Fixed Retainers, sometimes known as permanent retainers, are bonded to the backside of your teeth, offering both post-treatment stability and discretion. While permanent retainers can’t be lost, they still require proper care and maintenance. We provide a clear retainer over our fixed retainers as added protection for those patients looking for a fixed retainer solution.
Retainer Guarantee Program
At Sheffield & Le Orthodontics, we understand that life happens: retainers wear out, or they are lost or broken, and when this happens an immediate replacement is needed to minimize shifting. That’s why we offer our retainer guarantee program for our removable retainer options. Patients who choose to enroll can get up to four retainers replaced per year for seven years, and they’re only responsible for a small copay!
Safeguard Your Smile With Retainers for Antioch, Brentwood, and Oakley, CA
Ready to lock in your perfect smile for life? At Sheffield & Le Orthodontics, we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach to retainers. Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Le will carefully review your customized treatment plan, as well as the original position of your teeth, to determine the best retainer option for your unique needs and preferences.
Achieving extraordinary smiles is our passion! We believe in making the orthodontic journey fun and comfortable, for both our patients and our team. We leverage cutting-edge technology and personalized treatment plans to deliver exceptional results, and the tools and guidance you need to keep those results for a lifetime.
Contact Sheffield & Le Orthodontics today to learn more about retainers and how to keep your new smile shining bright!