The Final Step to a Lifetime of Smiles

Protect Your Smile With Custom Orthodontic Retainers at Joy of Orthodontics

You’ve worked hard for your new, beautiful smile; now it’s time to keep it in place! At Joy of Orthodontics, this final step of your orthodontic journey is as important as beginning your treatment. We believe orthodontic treatment is an investment, and retainers are your insurance plan. After you finish your braces or Invisalign® treatment, our team will help you choose the perfect retainer that fits your lifestyle and protects your smile.

What Are Retainers and Why Do They Matter?

Retainers are an orthodontic appliance that play a crucial role in preserving your spectacular results. Your teeth naturally shift throughout your life regardless of whether you’ve gotten orthodontic treatment or not. They’re especially prone to shifting to their original positions after your initial orthodontic treatment. If you don’t wear your retainers as Dr. Joy prescribes, you risk losing all your hard work in getting your teeth and jaws aligned! Luckily, our custom-fitted retainers are comfortable, durable, and designed to last.

Retainers Offered by Joy of Orthodontics

At Joy of Orthodontics, we offer three types of retainers so you can pick the one that’s right for your lifestyle. Our iTero® 3D digital scanner allows us to make custom retainers without any messy impressions. If you’re unsure which one is best for you, we’ll help you choose!

Clear Vivera™ Retainers

Vivera retainers are made from a durable, clear plastic from the same company that makes revolutionary Invisalign clear aligners! They’re nearly invisible, comfortable to wear, and easy to remove when eating or brushing. Patients of all ages love Vivera retainers’ discreet design.

Wired Hawley Retainers

Hawley retainers are a tried-and-true option made with a combination of a stainless steel wire and a custom-molded acrylic base. These retainers are durable, adjustable, and easy to fix if necessary. Plus, you get to choose the color or design of your retainer!

Bonded Retainers

Unlike Vivera or Hawley retainers, bonded or permanent retainers aren’t removable. The benefit to this type of retainer is that you can’t lose it or forget to wear it! The bonded retainer consists of a wire that is permanently fixed to the back of your teeth, meaning it’s invisible when you smile.

Caring for Removable Retainers

Taking care of removable retainers is key to maintaining your smile results and oral health. We recommend the following tips and tricks to keep your retainer clean and intact:

Clean Your Retainer Daily: Gently brush your retainer with a soft toothbrush and mild soap daily to keep it clean. Never use toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface.
Avoid Heat Exposure: Exposing your retainer to hot water, dishwashers, or direct sunlight can warp the material.
Store Your Retainer Safely: Whenever you take your retainer out, even briefly, store it in its case to avoid accidentally losing it or throwing it away.
Keep Away From Pets: Retainers can be a favorite chew toy for pets, so always keep yours out of their reach!

Caring for Bonded Retainers

Caring for a bonded retainer is a little different than taking care of a removable retainer. For bonded retainers:

Prioritize Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing daily should be part of your daily routine. You should especially concentrate on the areas around your retainer to watch for plaque buildup.
Consider Other Tools: If you find flossing difficult with your bonded retainer, consider using a water flosser to keep things clean.
Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods: Keep away from biting down on hard foods or eating extremely sticky foods that could displace your retainer.

It’s Time To Protect Your Smile!

We believe your smile deserves to last a lifetime. At Joy of Orthodontics, we help make that happen with custom-made retainers! From the moment your braces come off or you finish your last set of clear aligners, we’ll guide you through every step of orthodontic retention with expert support.

We have convenient locations in Wake Forest and Clayton, and with our five-star rating, you can trust that we’ll take care of you like we would our own family! Joy of Orthodontics is proud to help patients like you preserve their hard-earned smiles every day.