Invisalign Retainer

Nov 18, 2022 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign

Clear Invisalign Retainer

Invisalign Retainers Explained

Invisalign retainers keep your teeth straight! Without a retainer, teeth shift from their new straight places. We offer our patient three types of Invisalign retainers. We include the cost of the initial retainer in our Invisalign treatment fee. Patients may purchase replacements or duplicates separately. Keep reading to find out about the types of retainers and their pros and cons. Read our retainer care guide and learn how to use it to keep your teeth straight & beautiful after Invisalign.

The Three Types of Retainers

  1. Clear Plastic Retainers
  2. Hawley Retainers
  3. Lingual Retainers

Clear Plastic Retainers

Clear Plastic Invisalign retainers look like Invisalign trays. We make them from molds of your straightened teeth. Patients love these comfortable, removable retainers because they can wear them day or night. Remember that the effectiveness of a removable retainer depends on wearing it. These retainers clean easily and allow you to clean your teeth like normal. Like any removable retainer, they get lost or damaged more easily than a bonded retainer. However, because we make them in-office, we can remake them much more quickly than retainer that get sent out to a dental lab. Patients and dentists alike consider clear plastic retainers a great option.

Clear plastic retainer in the mouth

Hawley Retainers

Hawley Invisalign retainers get sent to the dental lab to be made from acrylic and metal wire. These durable, effective retainers feel comfortable and easy to wear. Being removable, they clean easily and allow you to clean your teeth like normal. Remember that the effectiveness of a removable retainer depends on wearing it. Many patients choose this option. Cons include being more difficult and costly to replace if lost or damaged.

Hawley Retainer

Lingual Retainers

We make lingual bar Invisalign retainers from metal orthodontic wire. We bond this wire to the tongue side of your teeth to hold the teeth in place. These small but mighty retainers hold teeth in place very well because they never leave the mouth.

Surprisingly, dentists don’t always love them. Why? Because patients find them harder to clean and this raises the risk of gum disease and cavities. These retainers must be kept clean with regular brushing and flossing to keep teeth stay straight AND healthy! In addition, patients must be committed to getting professional cleanings every 4-6 months to remove built-up food, tartar and plaque that cause cavities and gum disease.

Furthermore, patients also get irritated with lingual retainers because chewing sometimes knocks them loose. When that happens, they need re-bonding. Re-bonding involves a visit to the dentist and the cost of the re-bonding service. These retainers keep teeth straight, but you must be ready to keep them clean and bonded in place!

Designing a Lingual Retainer

Watch to see how we make a clear plastic Invisalign retainer:

Invisalign Retainer Care Instructions

Caring for your Invisalign retainer requires two things: keeping it clean and keeping it from getting damaged. Follow the care guidelines below for any removable retainer.

  1. Always brush your retainer with water when you remove it.
  2. If you notice it starting to smell, brush it with a small amount mouthwash or dish soap and rinse thoroughly. You may also soak it in water with a denture cleaner tab for several hours to freshen it up.
  3. Keep your retainer away from pets, heat and abrasives.
  4. Always store it in its case. Loose retainers in pockets, purses or cupholders tend to end up lost or broken.
  5. Bring your retainer to every dental cleaning appointment for inspection and professional cleaning.

Invisalign Wearing Instructions

Your dentist will give your personalized Invisalign retainer wearing instructions when you finish Invisalign. Generally speaking, most patients need to wear their retainer every night while sleeping in order to keep their teeth straight. However, you will always get the best results following the guidelines your dentist gave you personally.

Do You Need a New Retainer?

If you need a new Invisalign Retainer, call today to schedule your consultation. Making a retainer starts with a consultation so that you can figure out with the doctor which kind of retainer you need. We don’t ever assume that we know what fits your lifestyle the best.

Book Online Today or Call to Schedule (210) 600-9881

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    Excellent dentist and staff. Dr Bec and his staff have made me more comfortable having dental work performed. I really like and respect him and his staff for never pushing me to do any unnecessary procedures. Thank you Dr Bec and your amazing staff

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    I’ve been a patient of this dental practice since 2013 and I’ve never been disappointed! Every single time I come in I’m being welcomed by Yvonne and Stephanie with a big friendly smile. They call me by name and make the experience personal. I was generally afraid of dental appointments but Dr Bec, assistants Desire and Gill, Otilia(executive) and the entire team made the visits feel enjoyable, they made me feel part of the family and I would always leave the office with a smile. I can’t thank them enough for the care and support they offer during each visit. I greatly recommend this dental office, and specifically Dr Bec for the amazing work he does. I smile bigger and brighter because of the work he does! I recently finished my Invisalign treatment and the results are amazing. I’ve gotten many compliments on my new smile. Thank you so much for all you do! Maria Bizau

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  • My experience at Precision Dentistry was very rewarding. I found Dr. BEC to be professional in his practice, with a dedication to finding a solution for whatever dental care needed. My decision in choosing a dental option was made quite easy with no pressure whatsoever. I am now enjoying the freedom to eat a variety of foods I had limited too before.Thanks to Dr. Bec for helping me regain my smile and looking forward to a more meaningful happy life along with my granddaughters and family. And to his wonderful staff, I also thank you. Your attentive caring ways in reaching out to the patients is heart felt and appreciated. 💕

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