Dental Retainers

What is a retainer?

Retainers are plastic orthodontic devices that are custom-fit to your teeth and can help reposition your teeth or hold them in place after an orthodontic treatment. Invisalign® or any kind of braces are helpful in treating misalignments, gaps between teeth, and other cosmetic dental problems. However, your teeth can sometimes move back to their previous position if retainers are not used following treatment. At Dr. Doug Crosby Orthodontics, we take the time to personally discuss your treatment options and determine the best route to lead you to your best smile. If retainers are needed during or after your treatment, we create a custom, flexible appliance that fits you perfectly so you feel comfortable and confident.

When is a retainer from a dentist needed?

A retainer may be recommended by Dr. Doug Crosby if you need help improving or resolving one or more of the following dental issues:

• Crooked teeth
• Overlapping teeth
• Tooth grinding/tinnitus
• Gaps between teeth

In addition to treating these concerns, your orthodontist might recommend using a retainer following another teeth straightening procedure to ensure your teeth remain in place. Retainers might be used after:

• Braces
• Invisalign®
• Invisalign Teen®

What does getting a dental retainer involve?

It’s simple to get started with a retainer at Dr. Doug Crosby Orthodontics. During your complimentary first visit, we’ll go over everything you can expect and begin evaluating your teeth to make sure you’re a great candidate for a retainer. Some of the suggestions your orthodontist may give you after you receive your retainer include the following:

• Be careful with your retainer so you don’t break it or lose it.
• Put your retainer in its case when you’re not wearing it.
• Clean your retainer using warm water and a toothbrush.
• Take out the retainer when you’re eating or drinking anything other than water.
• Bring your retainer with you to appointments unless otherwise instructed by your orthodontist.

What are the benefits of visiting a dentist for a retainer?

Choosing to entrust Dr. Doug Crosby Orthodontics with your retainer creation, fitting, and maintenance can offer you the following benefits:

• Keeps your teeth in their correct position after prior orthodontic treatment
• Comfortable to wear
• Easy to take out
• Custom-created by our in-house orthodontists
• Lowers your chance of needing repeated braces or Invisalign® treatment