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Creating Smiles for a Lifetime
Greenville & Simpsonville Retainers
Retain Your Smile for Life
Your care at Summers Orthodontics doesn't end when your braces come off or your last aligner is removed. Retainers are the key to maintaining your newly aligned smile, helping keep your teeth in their ideal positions so you can enjoy your results for a lifetime.
Find the Right Retainer for You
Every smile is different, which is why Summers Orthodontics offers several types of retainers to fit your needs and lifestyle. Dr. Jeff Summers or Dr. John Ensley will recommend the best option to help keep your teeth in their new positions and protect the results you've worked so hard to achieve.
Essix Retainers
Essix retainers are clear, custom-made retainers designed to keep your teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment. Similar in appearance to clear aligners, they're comfortable, discreet, and easy to wear.
A Clear, Comfortable Fit
Using digital impressions of your smile, Dr. Summers or Dr. Ensley creates an Essix retainer that's customized for a precise fit. Because it's virtually invisible and removable, you can maintain your smile with confidence while enjoying the flexibility to eat, brush, and floss with ease.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers have been a trusted choice for maintaining orthodontic results for decades. Durable and reliable, they're designed to keep your teeth properly aligned long after your braces or Invisalign treatment is complete.
A Time-Tested Retention Solution
Made from a combination of sturdy acrylic and metal wire, Hawley retainers are custom-crafted to fit your smile comfortably. Because they're adjustable, Dr. Summers or Dr. Ensley can make minor modifications if needed, helping maintain your results without always requiring a brand-new retainer.
Fixed Retainers
For some patients, a fixed retainer provides added protection against unwanted tooth movement after orthodontic treatment. Bonded behind the front teeth, it offers continuous support without relying on daily wear.
Extra Stability for Lasting Results
Fixed retainers are most commonly used on the lower front teeth, where shifting is most likely to occur. If Dr. Summers or Dr. Ensley recommends a fixed retainer, it will typically be paired with an Essix or Hawley retainer to maintain the alignment of your upper teeth and keep your entire smile looking its best.
Phase 1 Retainers
After Phase I orthodontic treatment, some children need a retainer to help preserve their early results while their permanent teeth continue to develop. This helps ensure the progress made during the first phase of treatment is maintained until it's time for Phase II.
How Phase 1 Retainers Work
For children who need additional guidance as they grow, Dr. Summers or Dr. Ensley may recommend a Twin Block appliance. This removable retainer helps support proper jaw positioning and encourages healthy tooth eruption, creating the ideal foundation for Phase II treatment when the time is right.
How to Care for Your Retainer
Your smile journey doesn’t end when your braces come off. To maintain your new, straight, healthy smile, you’ll need to take care of your retainers and wear them correctly.
Follow these instructions to ensure your confident smile lasts a lifetime:
- Wear your retainers whenever you’re home unless we tell you otherwise. You can remove them to eat, brush your teeth, and swim or play contact sports.
- Bring your retainer to follow-up appointments so we can make sure it still fits properly.
- Keep your retainer case with you so your retainers stay safe when you’re not wearing them. Always placing them in your case can prevent costly replacements.
- Call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you notice that your retainer doesn’t fit properly or is cracked or broken.
- Call us right away if you lose your retainer. The longer you go without a retainer, the more likely your teeth are to shift out of alignment.
- Clear your retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and warm—but not hot—water. This helps remove plaque and eliminate odors.
- Practice talking, reading, or singing out loud while wearing your retainer so your mouth adjusts quickly.
- Keep your retainers away from heat—including hot water, hot cars, the washing machine or dryer, and even your pockets—so they don’t warp and break easily.
- Treat your retainers with care, and they’ll last as long as you need them to during your retention phase.
Retainers FAQs
Wondering what life with retainers is like? Here’s what to expect when retaining your smile post-treatment at Summers Orthodontics.