Retainers
Teeth do not stay where orthodontics puts them. They drift back for years afterwards, which is why a retainer is not the end of treatment so much as the rest of it.
Clear removable
A thin transparent tray worn at night. Invisible, easy to live with, and easy to lose.
Fixed wire
A thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. Nothing to remember, but it needs flossing around.
Replacement
Lost or broken one? We can scan and make a new one without repeating the orthodontics.
Why it matters more than people think
This is the part patients regret skipping.
- Teeth move most in the first year after braces or aligners come off
- They keep drifting slowly for decades, retainer or not
- A night-time retainer holds the result almost indefinitely
- Re-treating relapsed teeth costs many times what a retainer does
Getting one made
Two short appointments.
Digital scan
A few minutes, no putty. If your teeth have already shifted we will tell you what the retainer can and cannot hold.
Made and fitted
Checked in the chair so it seats without pressure points.
Wear it
Usually every night at first, then most nights indefinitely.
What it costs
A retainer is quoted at your appointment, by type. It is one of the least expensive things we make, and considerably cheaper than straightening the same teeth twice. You get the figure in writing before anything is booked, and we check your insurance first so you know your share, not just the list price.
Common questions
How long do I have to wear a retainer?
Indefinitely, most nights, if you want the result to hold. The first year is the critical one, but teeth keep drifting for decades and a few nights a week is what stops it.
I lost my retainer. What now?
Come in soon rather than later. If the teeth have not moved much we can scan and make a new one. Leave it months and you may need to straighten them again first.
My teeth have already shifted. Can a retainer pull them back?
A retainer holds; it does not move teeth. Small relapse can sometimes be corrected with a short course of aligners, then retained. We will scan and tell you which you are looking at.
Fixed or removable?
A fixed wire cannot be forgotten, which suits people who know they would not wear a tray. It does need careful flossing. A removable retainer is easier to clean and easier to lose.
How do I book?
Call (530) 671-2170 or request a time on our booking page. We are at 909 Plumas Street, Yuba City, CA 95991, Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 8 AM to 2 PM.
