Retainers in New York
Keep your teeth aligned long-term with custom retainers, designed to maintain your straight smile after orthodontic treatment.
Protect Your Investment: Retainers for a Lifelong Straight Smile
Congratulations! You’ve completed your orthodontic journey and now have the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always wanted. This is a huge accomplishment, but the journey isn't quite over. The most critical phase is about to begin: maintenance. For our patients across Long Island and in Plainview, we at Meadowbrook Dental emphasize that wearing a retainer is the single most important step in protecting your investment and ensuring your new smile lasts a lifetime.
Teeth are not set in concrete; they have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions over time, a process called orthodontic relapse. A retainer is a custom-made orthodontic appliance that holds your teeth in their new, ideal alignment, preventing this unwanted movement. Consistent retainer wear is the only way to safeguard the time, effort, and investment you've dedicated to straightening your smile.
To suit the needs of our diverse patients in Plainview and greater Long Island, we offer several types of modern retainers:
Clear, Removable Retainers: Looking just like an Invisalign® tray, these transparent retainers are the most popular choice. They are discreet, comfortable, and easy to clean.
Hawley Retainers: The traditional and most durable option, this retainer consists of a custom-molded acrylic piece that fits against the roof of your mouth, with a thin metal wire that sits across the front of your teeth.
Permanent (Bonded) Retainers: This involves a very thin wire that is permanently bonded to the back of your front teeth. It’s a convenient, "set it and forget it" option that ensures your most visible teeth stay perfectly straight 24/7.
Your Retainer Questions Answered
1. How long do I have to wear my retainer? This is the most common and important question. To prevent any relapse, the answer is, in some form, for the rest of your life. Typically, we will recommend wearing your retainer full-time for the first few months after your braces or aligners are removed. After that, you will transition to wearing it only at night, every night, to maintain your results for a lifetime.
2. What happens if I forget to wear my retainer? Forgetting for one night is usually not a major issue. However, if you stop wearing your retainer for weeks or months, your teeth will begin to shift. If you notice your retainer feels tight after not wearing it, that’s a sign your teeth have already moved. Consistent wear is key.
3. How do I clean my retainer? You should clean your retainer every day. For removable retainers, brush them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and cool water (hot water can warp the plastic). You can also use a specialized retainer cleaning solution. For a permanent retainer, you must be diligent about flossing underneath the wire using a floss threader to prevent plaque buildup.
4. My permanent retainer broke or came loose. What should I do? Contact our office immediately. A broken or loose bonded retainer is not effectively holding your teeth in place, and they can begin to shift quickly. We will schedule you for a prompt appointment to repair or replace it.
5. How often do I need to replace my retainer? Removable retainers are durable but do experience wear and tear. On average, a clear or Hawley retainer may need to be replaced every few years. It's a good idea to keep your dental models or digital scans on file with us so a replacement can be made quickly if yours is lost or broken.
Why Trust Our Team with Your Smile's Future
Your orthodontic result is a precious investment. Our commitment to you extends beyond straightening your teeth to ensuring you keep that beautiful smile for life.
1. A Commitment to Lifelong Results: Our ultimate goal is not just to create a straight smile but to ensure you keep it straight. We provide the tools, guidance, and support necessary to protect your results for the long haul for our patients in Plainview and across Long Island.
2. Custom-Fit Retainers for Optimal Comfort: Using precise digital scans or impressions, we create retainers that are perfectly molded to your new smile. A better fit means better comfort, which makes you more likely to wear your retainer consistently and successfully.
3. A Choice of Modern Retainer Options: We offer all types of retainers, clear, Hawley, and permanent, because we know every patient’s lifestyle and clinical needs are different. We will help you choose the best option to successfully maintain your smile.
4. Clear Guidance and Long-Term Support: We don't just hand you a retainer and send you on your way. We provide clear, detailed instructions on exactly how to wear and care for it. Our team is always here to answer your questions and assist with any future needs, from repairs to replacements.
5. Protecting Your Orthodontic Investment: We view your retainer as the most important insurance policy for your smile. Our focus on this crucial final step of treatment reflects our dedication to providing a service of lasting value to all our patients throughout the Long Island and Plainview communities.
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