Orthodontic Treatment Services

Retainers in Dublin

Completing your orthodontic treatment is a significant milestone, but maintaining your new smile is just as important. At Sinnott Orthodontics, we provide custom-made retainers designed to keep your teeth in their new position. Wearing retainers as instructed ensures that your investment in orthodontic care lasts a lifetime.

What Are Retainers?

Retainers are custom-made orthodontic devices designed to hold your teeth in their corrected position after braces or clear aligners have done their job. Once your teeth have been moved into their desired positions, they naturally want to shift back to their original position. Retainers help to maintain your beautiful new smile.

Types of Retainers:

Fixed Retainers: These are thin wires bonded to the back of your front teeth. They help to maintain the alignment of the front teeth.
Removable Retainers: Made of clear plastic or acrylic, these retainers can be easily removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. Common types include clear Essix retainers and Hawley retainers.

Why Are Retainers Important?

Wearing a retainer after your orthodontic treatment is crucial for maintaining the results you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Without a retainer, your teeth are likely to shift back to their original positions over time, undoing the progress made during your treatment.

What happens if I don’t wear retainers?
If you stop wearing your retainers, there is a very high chance that your teeth will move back to their original crowded position. The elastic tissues around your teeth essentially act like rubber bands, pulling them towards their former alignment. Retainers allow your body to build new bone and adapt the elastic tissues to your corrected tooth positions.

Will my teeth stay straight forever?
As we get older, there is a natural tendency for teeth—particularly the lower front teeth—to become more crooked over time. This is part of the ageing process, similar to how skin changes over the years. The only way to keep your teeth in position is to wear retainers on a long-term basis, for as long as you want to maintain the alignment achieved by your orthodontic treatment.

Benefits of Retainers

Prevents Relapse: Keeps your teeth from shifting back to their pre-treatment positions.
Maintains Alignment: Ensures your teeth stay straight and your bite remains functional. Even with excellent retainer wear there can be some natural tooth movement.
Protects Your Investment: Secures the results of your orthodontic treatment so that your beautiful smile lasts a lifetime.

Types of Retainers Offered at Sinnott Orthodontics

At Sinnott Orthodontics, we offer several types of retainers to suit your individual needs and lifestyle. The right choice depends on many factors, including your treatment plan, and oral health needs. We’ll discuss your specific situation and advise you on the most appropriate option.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are usually made from plastic (or a combination of plastic and metal) and are taken out for meals, tooth brushing, and sports. When worn as directed, they effectively hold your teeth in place and can be easily cleaned.

Removable ‘Essix’ Retainers
Essix retainers are clear plastic retainers similar in appearance to clear aligners. They fit snugly over your teeth and are nearly invisible.

Advantages
- Discreet and almost invisible
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Removable for eating and cleaning

Fixed Retainers

A fixed retainer consists of a thin wire that is bonded to the back of your front teeth. Although you don’t have to remember to put it in each day, it still requires regular checks and maintenance because it can detach over time.

Advantages
- You never have to remember to wear it, unlike removable retainers
- Provides constant support to keep front teeth aligned

How to Care for Your Removable Retainers

Proper care of your removable retainers is essential to ensure they remain effective and last as long as possible. Below are general guidelines for cleaning and storing your retainers:

Keep Them Clean
- Brush your retainers daily with a toothbrush and cold water.
- You can also soak them in a retainer cleaner (e.g., Retainer Brite).
- Avoid using toothpaste with abrasive ingredients that may scratch the plastic.
Avoid Heat
- Do not expose your retainers to hot water, direct sunlight, or heat sources, as this can warp the material.
Store Properly
- When not wearing your retainer, always store it in its protective case to prevent damage or loss.
Wear as Directed
- Follow the wear schedule provided by Dr Sinnott. Typically, you’ll wear them full-time initially, then switch to nights-only on a long-term basis.

Caring for Your Fixed Retainer

Even though this section focuses on removable retainers, it’s important to note that fixed retainers also require attention:

Daily Cleaning
- Brush carefully around the retainer wire each day.
- Use specialised dental floss, floss threaders, or interdental brushes to clean between the wire and your teeth.
Regular Check-Ups
- Schedule regular appointments with your dentist or hygienist to monitor for tartar or plaque build-up.
- If the wire becomes loose or breaks, contact the clinic immediately to prevent tooth movement or decay under the wire.

The Importance of Lifelong Retention

Your teeth naturally want to shift back to their original positions over time, particularly in the first few months after braces or aligners are removed. Lifelong retainer wear helps prevent this movement and maintains the results of your orthodontic treatment.

Periodic Checks
We will check your retainers for about a year after your fixed braces are removed. Following that, your dentist can monitor your retainers during routine dental exams.
If You Lose or Break Your Retainer
Contact the practice immediately to make an appointment for a replacement. Any delay could result in unwanted tooth movement.
Ongoing Care
Professional cleaning and regular dental visits are recommended to keep your retainers in good condition and your teeth healthy.

Schedule a Consultation

Have questions, or are you ready to schedule your orthodontic appointment? Get in touch with Sinnott Orthodontics, the leading orthodontic clinic in Dublin. Our friendly team is here to answer your enquiries and assist you.