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Types of Retainers Philadelphia, PA
Retainer Philadelphia, PA

As you near the end of your orthodontic treatment, your doctor will discuss an option for a retainer. While you may be looking forward to finally being rid of “mouth hardware,” don’t get too excited. Don’t get upset about it either! A lot of money has gone into helping you achieve a straight, beautiful smile, so you don’t want that money to go to waste!

A retainer is an oral device used to prevent your teeth from shifting out of their newly aligned position. The first year after you have your braces removed are the most critical for wearing your retainer. Without a retainer, your teeth would naturally gravitate back to the positions they started in before you had braces. What a waste! To prevent this backsliding, you need a retainer to help hold your teeth in their correct positions.

There are generally two options for a retainer:

  • A permanent retainer: This type of retainer, also called a lingual retainer or fixed retainer, is a metal bar placed behind your bottom front teeth to keep them from shifting back into the position they were in before braces. These front bottom teeth are the most likely to shift, so they must be stabilized.
  • A removable retainer: As the name implies, these retainers can be removed from the mouth. Up until a few years ago, these were the most commonly used retainers. They are fitted to the exact shape of your teeth to hold your smile in place. After the first couple of months, these retainers are generally only worn at night. Therefore, after just a few weeks, you will no longer have any type of appliance in your mouth during the day.

There are pros and cons to both types of retainers.

  • Pros and cons of a permanent retainer: Having a wire bonded to the back of your bottom teeth makes them difficult to clean. You will have to use a special tool to help floss these teeth. Yet, a permanent retainer is virtually invisible. A permanent retainer is generally more affordable because it is much less likely to be lost or broken; thus, it will probably not need to be replaced.
  • Pros and cons of a removable retainer: Removable retainers are a bit more expensive on the front end simply because it is a device that must be made specifically for your smile. Also, if you lose or break your retainer, you will need to pay to have it replaced. Yet, a removable retainer allows you to clean your teeth easily. You can floss and brush normally, making it very easy to maintain a healthy smile.

At Broad Street Braces, we will discuss with you your options for a retainer. We know that you have worked long and hard to achieve the smile of your dreams, and we want to help you protect it so that it lasts for a lifetime!

Posted on behalf of Broad Street Braces

1819 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA , 19148

Phone: (215) 234-3030

Email:

Mon – 8am to 5pm
Tue – 8am to 5pm
Wed – 8am to 5pm
Thu – 8am to 5pm
Fri – 8am to 1pm

Our Patient Reviews

Broad Street Braces

5.0 / 5.0

Based on 387 reviews

Felicia W

Excellent staff, excellent service with trusty expertise. It was overall a great experience for my son and myself. We are highly satisfied with all the services performed today.

Alisa O

I am pleased with this Orthodontist location because they are very prompt with appointments. It's never a long wait. The staff is kind and willing to fix misunderstandings quickly. They actually play relaxing music in the office. My favorite staff member is Trinh because she answers questions gracefully. Trinh always greets me with a smile. Glad I chose this dental office.

Phuong H

Really nice office. Very clean and modern. Everyone is friendly, especially Trinh. She is great. Love taking my son here.

Refie H

The staff is really friendly, very satisfied with the service. The place is cozy, and also clean, seriously I recommend it to anyone who wanted to have the braces on

Kevin A

My mom received THE BEST service here. Consultations & visits were a breeze & the staff was always so kind. Their bilingual employee, Sara, was very helpful because my mom only speaks Spanish.

Hung C

This is my son’s first time here. This Office is very nice and very professional. Great service. Mrs. Trinh did an excellent job helping us translate Vietnamese. She is really nice and did a great job! Thank you so much!

Angela D

Great experience!! welcoming and good at what they do. Ask for amanda- she's the best!

Thang N

Many friends told me that Trinh always does a great job and I am very lucky today to have her put my braces on! They look great. I am looking forward to coming back for my second appoinment. The treatment coordinator, Rachel is very friendly and welcoming. She is awesome. I would recommend anyone who is interested in braces to come to Broad Street Braces. You would love Dr. Neil!