
Permanent or fixed retainers are made of a metal wire that is glued to your teeth. Usually, this wire is smooth and solid or has a braided texture. It’s attached to your teeth and adjusted to your bite to keep your teeth from shifting or becoming crooked.
Full Answer
How long do you really have to wear a retainer?
You’ll have to wear your retainer for at least 10 years after you get your braces off or finish your aligner treatment. Many people wear their retainers for the rest of their lives. During the first three months after braces or aligners, you should wear your retainers most of the time.
How much do retainers cost to replace after braces?
When you or your child has braces, a Hawley retainer is often covered in the overall upfront treatment cost. If you lose or break the retainer, a replacement may need to be paid for entirely out of pocket, costing between $70 and $500. This type of retainer is made exclusively of formed acrylic.
How do you care for a retainer?
- Never leave your retainer wrapped in a napkin, tissue, or paper towel. ...
- Always carry your retainer case with you wherever you go if you're wearing the retainer full time. ...
- Do not leave your retainer in direct sunlight, including a parked car, as the heat may melt or warp the plastic. ...
What is the best retainer after braces?
- Hawley Retainers Also referred to as metal or wire retainers are removable types of retainers. These types of retainers can be used for both upper as well as lower teeth. ...
- Essix Retainers If you are looking for clear, removable retainers, then Essix retainers are the best choice. ...
- Fixed Retainers The fixed bonded wire retainers are fixed to the teeth. ...

How long do you wear a retainer?
Right after you get your braces off, you will have to wear your retainer around the clock. Once you've been wearing your retainer full-time for at least three months, you may be able to transition to wearing it only at night.
Are teeth retainers visible?
Appearance. If appearance is a priority, your best options are a clear or permanent retainer. Clear retainers are virtually invisible, which means you could wear them at any time and they barely will be noticed. The same goes for permanent retainers because the wire is positioned along the back of your front teeth.
What's retainer after braces?
Retainers are custom devices designed to hold your teeth in place. They're often prescribed after orthodontic treatment, such as braces, to keep your bite in place after it's been reshaped or corrected.
Can you eat with a retainer on?
DO NOT wear the retainers while participating in sports or swimming. NEVER eat anything while wearing your retainers. It's OK to drink water while wearing the retainers, but remove them if you drink other beverages. If you forget to wear your retainer, wear the retainer full-time for few days to re-align your teeth.
How much do retainers cost?
Typically, retainers can cost anywhere from $250 to $600 per set without insurance. The final cost will largely depend on whether you choose a permanent or removable retainer, the specific circumstances of your treatment, and which orthodontic practice provides your treatment.
Do you wear retainers forever?
To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won't be necessary to wear them as often.
How fast do teeth move without retainer?
The first three months are critical, and the teeth are most likely to shift during this stage. During this time, a week without your retainer may cause some minor shifting. Your retainer may feel a bit tighter on your teeth when you place it back in again.
How do you sleep with a retainer?
Should I wear my retainer while sleeping? Yes, you should always wear your retainer at night while you sleep. In the beginning of retainer wear, you'll wear it around the clock, but to ensure your smile stays straight for a lifetime, you'll want to continue wearing your retainer at night forever.
Are retainers painful?
It's natural for your retainer to hurt for at least the first day after being fitted, as your mouth adjusts to the novel sensation. Discomfort typically only lasts for four to five days – a week at most. If your retainer is causing you discomfort beyond this, it's best to book a consult with your orthodontist.
Can I brush my teeth with retainers on?
Fortunately, you can keep your retainer clean and safe by brushing it just like you brush your teeth. Dentists suggest that you brush your retainer with a non-abrasive toothpaste and rinse it thoroughly with warm water to eliminate bacteria.
Do retainers hurt the first day?
It's normal for a retainer to be uncomfortable, tight, or a bit painful for the first few days of wearing it. Even if the discomfort extends to a full week, it's still usually not a cause for alarm. However, if you experience retainer pain for more than a full week, it's time to call your orthodontist.
Which is better braces or retainer?
Braces work better for more complex orthodontic problems. Retainers work well for minor adjustments where only one or two teeth need to be moved. Braces hold continual pressure on the teeth to shift them into a new position.
Can you bite down with retainers?
Biting down on your retainer could bend or crack it if you don't have it lined up correctly. DON'T wrap your retainer in a tissue: When your retainer isn't in your mouth, it's best to put it in its protective case. If you put it in a tissue, it could dry out or someone could accidentally throw it out.
Why are retainers so uncomfortable?
Retainers may feel tight and uncomfortable, and cause a lisp at first, as your body adjusts to the new appliances. A retainer is a bespoke device crafted to fit the specific shape and alignment of your freshly-straightened teeth.
How long does it take retainers to straighten teeth?
Typically, people wear their retainers full time for 4–6 months. Also, most dentists recommend wearing retainers at least every night for the rest of one's life. This prevents teeth from shifting back out of position.
Will my teeth shift back if I wear my retainer again?
If you've neglected your retainer for a few weeks or months, be sure to try your retainer on to see if it still fits – if so, it may help undo any shifting that's occurred since you've worn it if new bone tissue hasn't grown. So the answer to the question, “can retainers move teeth back?” is yes, sometimes.
What is a retainer?
A retainer is a pricing model that lets you bill your clients a fixed amount every month in advance. It workes for clients and companies that have a lot of trust between them and work on projects that require a lot of work over a longer period of time.
What happens when you put everything on a piece of paper?
Once you put everything on a piece of paper, you’ll see if the retainer model of pricing is the right fit for you. If you’re craving security and want to make the most out of your business relationship with the few clients you have, you might be a match made in heaven.
Why do freelancers use retainer models?
A lot of freelancers and small businesses have problems with figuring out their pricing model. In order to have a reliable source of revenue , companies often use the retainer model. It ensures a monthly income which is essential in order to run a successful business.
How to help clients in the long run?
Make sure your client understands what your services can provide them in the long run, but also take part in active listening and find out what your client’s goals are and how to go about achieving them in the right way.
What are the downsides of retainers?
One of the biggest downsides of retainers is the fact that no matter how much value you bring to your clients, they will pay you the same amount. This doesn’t give you the incentive to work smarter and provide your clients with ideas to help them increase their revenue and double their sales.
Why do businesses need retainers?
For smaller businesses, retainers provide security, since it allows them to grow while having a revenue stream to fall back on. The same goes for freelancers who are trying to stay afloat and are trying to work regularly and not just on a project-to-project basis.
Why do clients pay the same fee if they don't need a lot of work done?
If a month goes by where the client didn’t need a lot of work done, they’ll still pay the same fee, because other months that were busier balance them out.
What is a retainer for orthodontics?
Retainers keep your teeth from moving back to their original position. They are made to be worn after your orthodontic treatment — such as clear aligner therapy — ends.
What is a Hawley appliance?
A Maxillary Hawley Appliance is one of the oldest retainer types. It’s also known as a metal retainer or removable wire retainer.
What is a removable retainer?
Removable retainers — those you can put in and remove yourself — include clear teeth retainers and removable wire retainers, also known as Hawley retainers. Fixed retainers are also called permanent retainers. A dentist or orthodontist must place and remove those.
What is fixed retainer?
Fixed retainers are also called permanent retainers. A dentist or orthodontist must place and remove those. Here are a few more facts you should know about the three types of retainers so you can make the right decision for you.
Why is a Hawley retainer visible?
Because of the stainless steel, a Hawley retainer is more visible to others and you won’t be able to hide the fact that you’re wearing one.
Why do you need retainers after moving teeth?
After teeth have moved, retainers allow the bone that hold those teeth in place to rebuild. Retainers help keep the perfect teeth alignment you achieved. Just like your body changes over time, your teeth can change too, and retainers help keep their healthy positioning.
How long do clear retainers last?
They don’t cover the roof of your mouth, so they’re more comfortable overall. Clear retainers typically last up to 6 months. And they’re removable, so, they’re also convenient.
What is a Retainer Agreement?
A retainer agreement is a work-for-hire legal document or a service contract between a company or an individual and a client. It falls between a one-off-contract and a permanent employment contract . It allows clients and customers to pay in advance for professional services of a company or individual.
Why are retainers predictable?
Predictable Cash flow: Since retainers use an agreed upon retainer fee over a long period of time, it also makes it easier to estimate and maintain cash flows.
Why do consultants use retainer agreements?
Retainer agreements are also used by consultants to provide services to a client over a long-period of time. Especially when the client and professional have established a relationship and the client predicts needing the consultant’s expertise, a retainer agreement provides access to the consultant’s time and services. Freelancers also find retainer agreements to be beneficial. Freelancers often struggle to find a stable source of income and a predictable cash flow. A retainer agreement is a great way to ensure that they have a stable income over a long period of time.
Why are retainer agreements important?
Retainer agreements are gaining popularity as service industries need more income stability and try to improve client relationships. Retainer agreements are widely used for legal services, consulting services, accounting services and by freelancers. Here are some benefits of using a retainer agreement:
What is a pay for work retainer?
Pay-for-work retainers: Pay-for-work retainers are often used by companies and professionals that intend to receive ongoing payment on a monthly basis from their clients. This type of a retainer agreement is used when relationships with clients is slightly underway. Companies or professionals get paid for the hours of the work they provide. Pay-for-work retainers are not much different from a contract. However, unlike a one-off contract, professions under pay-for-work retainers are in a loop to deliver services to the client over a long period of time.
Is a retainer a good idea?
However, there are drawbacks to a retainer agreement for both the client and the professional. Some of them are discussed below:
What does it mean to be locked into a specific schedule?
Opportunity : Being locked into a specific schedule means that the professional might have to pass on exciting opportunities that might come their way.
When are Retainers Necessary?
New retainers are custom-made for your upper and lower teeth directly after braces or clear aligner treatment is complete.
What is Relapse and Retention?
Relapse refers to the partial or full return of pre-treatment malocclusion (teeth misalignment) following successful orthodontic treatment.
What is retention in orthodontics?
Retention refers to the phase of orthodontic treatment that minimizes the risk of tooth movement and misalignment following the removal of clear aligners or braces.
What is clear aligner?
Clear aligners (invisible aligners) are a removable type of orthodontic treatment that corrects misaligned or crooked teeth. Invisible aligners are a flexible and convenient alternative to braces.
Why are clear retainers uncomfortable?
Clear retainers can cause more discomfort than Hawley (metal) retainers because your teeth will not touch naturally. A Vivera retainer is another type of clear retainer that holds the teeth in place after Invisalign treatment. This retainer is made exclusively for Invisalign patients.
Why do orthodontists gather information early?
Gathering this information early on helps the orthodontist decide on the best retainer for the patient’s needs.
How much does a Vivera retainer cost?
Vivera (Invisalign) retainers can cost as low as $660 for four sets. Permanent (bonded) retainers cost $150-$500 for one or up to $1,000 per set. However, bonded retainers are usually included in the price of treatment if done at an orthodontist's office.
What is a bonded retainer?
The first type is called a bonded retainer. It’s attached to your teeth after your braces are removed to keep them in place for the first few months after treatment. A bonded retainer is recommended if you need to wear your retainer at all times as a follow-up to orthodontic treatment.
How long do you have to wear a retainer after braces are removed?
The typical guideline for a removable retainer is to wear it full time, except for mealtimes and cleanings, for the first 4 to 6 months after your braces are removed, according to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists.
What happens if you don't wear a retainer?
If you don’t wear your retainer according to your orthodontist’s instructions, your teeth will tend to shift back into their old placement. This is known as relapsing. . If you don’t wear your retainer, you may need orthodontic intervention again within 10 years, or even sooner.
What is a retainer?
Use guidelines. Length of wear. Precautions. Cleaning. Takeaway. Share on Pinterest. Retainers are custom devices designed to hold your teeth in place.
How to keep food from hardening on retainer?
Clean your removable retainer with lukewarm water every time you remove it. Rinsing your retainer when it’s still wet with your saliva will keep food from hardening on your retainer.
Why do you keep your retainer clean?
Keeping your retainer clean protects your teeth. In the case of a removable retainer, it can also extend its life span.
Why are clear plastic retainers so popular?
Clear plastic retainers have become popular in recent years because they’re virtually invisible and more likely to be worn. This retainer isn’t the same thing as Invisalign, which is used to straighten teeth, not prevent them from moving out of position.
What is an unearned retainer fee?
An unearned retainer fee refers to the amount of money deposited in a retainer account before the commencement of work. The amount serves as a guarantee by the client to pay the attorney upon completion of the agreed work. The attorney cannot claim the retainer fee until he has completed the work and invoiced the client.
What happens after retainer fee is depleted?
After the retainer fee is depleted, the attorney may bill the client in several ways. The first option is to enter into a contingency fee agreement with the client. A contingency fee agreement provides that the lawyer does not get paid unless he wins the case. If the case ends in favor of the client, the attorney takes a percentage ...
What is retainer in legal?
The retainer is usually a fixed amount that the client commits to pay the attorney on a monthly basis in exchange for the opportunity to engage him in the future when legal issues come up.
Why do you pay retainer fees?
Also, the retainer fee aims to protect the attorney from unforeseen circumstances in the future that can prevent clients from meeting their obligations.
What happens if an attorney receives a retainer?
If an unexpected event occurs during the court process that prevents the client from being able to pay out any more money, the attorney can receive some compensation for the work performed through having received the retainer fee.
What is due diligence career?
Due Diligence Career Profile These groups perform “financial due diligence” on behalf of acquirers of companies to analyze the target companies’ financial statements and overall financial health. A career in the financial due diligence team can require long hours when on a transaction and requires forensic level accounting and analysis.
How often do lawyers get paid for retained fees?
The earned retainer fee is paid every month until the case is closed. Sometimes, the lawyer may be paid according to the milestones he has completed, for example, 25% after the pre-trial process, 60% after the hearing, and 100% when the case is determined and closed.
How much does a retainer cost?
Teeth retainers cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per set without insurance. Depending on your dentist, orthodontic retainer costs can vary quite a bit. The cost can also depend on location, and what type you are recommended to use. Here’s a rough guide to how much different dentist retainers cost with a private dentist:
What is the difference between a retainer and a night guard?
While they may look similar, retainers, mouth guards, and night guards are all used for different reasons. Retainers are what help keep your teeth in position after orthodontic care, while mouthguards are designed to keep the teeth safe from injury. Mouthguards are made of flexible plastic that protects the jaw and teeth during physical activity and sports. Alternatively, night guards are more firm than a mouthguard and made for patients that clench or grind their teeth at night. Nightguards protect the teeth and jaw from pain and damage caused by the grinding.
How many retainers are there for Vivera Invisalign?
Note that prices are for a single device, except for Vivera Invisalign retainers which come in a set of 4.
What is spring aligner?
Spring retainers, or spring aligners, can help with simple movements of the teeth. They look similar to a normal Hawley retainer, for teeth but they have extra parts that move one or more teeth slightly or help to prevent the teeth from overcrowding or twisting. Invisalign retainers look similar to Essix devices.
What is a retainer for teeth?
There are two main types of teeth retainer your dentist might recommend: a permanent retainer (also known as a bonded or fixed retainer) or one that can be removed such as an Essix or Hawley.
Why do you wear a retainer after braces?
Wearing a retainer after braces helps to hold your teeth in the correct alignment. Both removable and permanent retainers will keep your teeth straight for years to come, as long as you keep wearing them as your dentist advises!
Why do people prefer Essix retainers?
Some people prefer this type because they are less noticeable than wire retainers. Essix retainer costs are similar to the Hawley style, but they may not last as long.
What is retainer in consulting?
Consulting retainers are a payment structure that allows you to collaborate more in-depth with companies for a fixed amount of money and are the preferred payment method for established, successful consultants.
How do retainers work?
So, how do retainers work? They are an agreed-on amount of up-front income in exchange for you providing services for a defined period of time. Usually, both consultants and clients prefer to pay monthly (rather than weekly or quarterly), but you can establish set rules that are mutually convenient.
Why do companies use pay for access?
This pay structure, in particular pay-for-access agreements, can allow you to collaborate with more clients for less output and can really help you scale your company. Moving past an hourly or project-based rate will also help you increase the longevity of your client partnerships.
What is the second type of retainer?
The second type is “pay for access,” and this is similar to the type of retainer you would expect for access to an attorney. Your client does not require specific deliverables from you but can ask questions or seek guidance on a particular topic when required. This is a good arrangement to have with a long-term client who can handle the bulk of the project themselves.
Why do you need a retainer?
Another benefit of the retainer structure is that they will help you free up a significant amount of time. Project-based fees leave you scrambling and spending time searching for new projects and landing new contracts. If you have a steady income from a retainer agreement, you are able to throw yourself into working for that client without the distraction of worrying about where your next paycheck will come from.
Is freelance income predictable?
As anyone who has been a freelancer or consultant knows, income is not always steady or predictable. When first starting, many people choose to slowly transition from a company position into independent consultancy as they increase their client load.