Retainers in New York, NY

Retainers are extremely important post-orthodontic treatment. They help maintain the beautiful results of your orthodontic treatment and prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. At Central Park West Orthodontics, we emphasize the crucial role of wearing your retainer as prescribed to ensure your smile lasts a lifetime. These are three of the retainer options we have at our practice in New York:

Hawley retainers are the most common retainers used by orthodontists worldwide for the past 100 years. The Hawley retainer is removable; it includes a metal wire that typically surrounds the six anterior teeth and keeps them in place. It is anchored in an acrylic arch that sits in the palate (roof of the mouth). The acrylic can also be personalized with a large number of colors and/or patterns. Hawley retainers effectively maintain the alignment of the teeth. These retainers are known for their durability and adjustability. If small shifts occur, the wire can often be modified without needing a completely new retainer.

Clear retainer is designed to prevent the teeth from moving or shifting after braces or orthodontic work. The clear retainer is similar to Invisalign aligners when it comes to appearance and texture. These retainers are durable, removable, and may appear invisible, making them a popular choice for maintaining a discreet look.

They are especially popular with patients who prefer a more discreet appearance. Clear retainers in New York should be cleaned regularly and stored properly to maintain their shape and clarity. They typically need to be replaced more often than Hawley retainers due to normal wear and tear.

A fixed retainer is a solid or braided stainless steel wire that is bonded on the lingual surface of the anterior teeth (behind the front teeth). This retainer is placed after orthodontic treatment is completed. Fixed retainers are very efficient at maintaining the positions of the teeth. The bonded retainers rarely interfere with playing musical instruments, sports, speech, or appearance.

They are ideal for patients who may forget to wear removable retainers consistently. Good oral hygiene is important with fixed retainers, as plaque and tartar can build up around the wire if not cleaned thoroughly.