Practicing since 1995
"I hadn't gone in a few years due to never having had a good experience before. But having had such a positive one at Signal Hill I am actually looking forward to my next visit! From the moment you walk in until you leave you feel that everyone is a team ensuring both a great experience and of course results."
"Very nice group of people. Everyone is friendly and happy to be there, which is always a good sign."
"The visit was very comfortable, informative, and pleasant overall. The staff was very friendly and guided my through each process step by step. "
| Mon: | 7am - 9pm |
| Tues: | 7am - 9pm |
| Wed: | 7am - 9pm |
| Thurs: | 7am - 9pm |
| Fri: | 7am - 9pm |
| Sat: | 8am - 4pm |
| Sun: | 10am - 3pm |
What are the benefits of permanent retainers?
Anonymous Patient
Usually after orthodontic treatment, teeth are prone to shifting a little bit. Depending on your bite, you may do well with "permanent" (called "fixed") orthodontic retainers. These are usually a done as a bonded wire on the backside of your teeth. Some patients have a combination bonded-wire from canine-to-canine on their lower teeth and a "removable" clear plastic retainer for their upper teeth. Here are the pluses and minuses for both:
Fixed retainer:
+ makes sure your teeth do not move as long as it stays bonded in place
+ do not have to remember to put in retainer when going to bed at night
+ good choice if you already have to wear a different type of dental appliance such as a nightgaurd or sleep apnea appliance
+ oftentimes, if your dentist/orthodontist achieved a stable bite, only need the lower fixed retainer and might not need to retain the upper teeth at all or (just minimally). This is because shifting in the uppers can be dictated by the bite against the lowers. If the lowers stay aligned, then the uppers can follow. However, always check with your dentist/orthodontist first if they believe this is the case with your particular mouth.
- oral hygiene. Keeping the device and associated teeth clean can be difficult. Flossing and brushing extra carefully!
- some patients do not like the feeling of a wire in their mouths and the tongue can become raw rubbing against it.
- can sometimes de-bond and require re-bonding. Inconvenience and cost.
Removable retainer:
+ oral hygiene is unaffected.
+ if it is a clear plastic type retainer that covers everything (such as Invisalign Vivera or Essix), then it can also protect your teeth from minor night time grinding and clenching.
+ can eventually be worn every other night or a few times a week after it is determined by your dentist/orthodontist that your teeth are stable enough. Perhaps eventually not requiring any use at all.
+ is a good back-up if you get a tooth knocked out or chipped. The dentist can use it as a guide to restore the tooth or replace the tooth with an implant and achieve better results.
- you have to remember to wear it
- you cannot wear any other type of dental appliance such as a sleep apnea appliance or nightgaurd
- you have to keep it clean. It can get a little grubby looking. May need to order a new set every few months or years.
- some people find it feels uncomfortable to sleep and have plastic in your mouth.
For my patients, I usually use a wire if they choose "permanent fixed" retainers and Invisalign Vivera or Essix) if they choose "removable" retainers.
I hope this answer helps with your decision making.
-Signal Hill Dental Centre
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