Orthodontic Treatment in Las Vegas
You deserve a smile you're proud to show off—and at UNLV Orthodontic Clinic, our goal is to help you achieve one! As a leading orthodontic practice serving the Las Vegas area, we're proud to offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments including braces and Invisalign. However, no matter what treatment you use, you'll need retention therapy once you finish the active phase of your treatment to ensure that your beautiful new smile lasts a lifetime.
About Retention
Retention is a critical element to any successful orthodontic treatment. This is because once you finish the active phase of your treatment, your teeth will have moved to new positions, but the underlying bones and ligaments that support them will not have adapted to those new positions. Without a retainer, your teeth will simply move back to their old alignment, erasing your new smile! Wearing a retainer is critical to ensuring the long-term health of your smile.
Types of Retainers
At UNLV Orthodontic Clinic in Las Vegas, we are proud to offer a variety of retainer options. Our expert team of residents will work with you to select the retainer that works best for you.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers are made from a molded piece of acrylic, which conforms to your mouth, and wires that protrude and wrap around your teeth. Hawley retainers are sturdy, durable, and versatile, making them a popular option with many patients. We can also customize the acrylic to your favorite colors and patterns.
Fixed Retainers
Fixed retainers, also called bonded lingual retainers, are a non-removable form of retainer. They consist of a metal wire that's permanently fixed to the inside of the teeth using a special dental cement. This makes fixed retainers an ideal option for patients who have a high risk of tooth regression, as the retainer is constantly in action. While convenient and impossible to see from the outside, fixed retainers will require you to use floss threaders to clean your teeth. If your fixed retainer breaks at any time during treatment, please don't try to adjust it yourself—call us right away to schedule an emergency repair appointment.
Essix Retainer
The Essix retainer is a clear, removable retainer that fits directly over the teeth and closely resembles an Invisalign aligner. They have no wires and are almost invisible when worn, making them a convenient option for many patients. Essix retainers can also provide some protection for patients that suffer from bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. Overall, Essix invisible retainers are durable, inexpensive and easy to wear, which makes them a great option when it comes to retention.
Contact Your Las Vegas Orthodontist
In combination with orthodontic treatment, retention therapy is a critical part of achieving a new smile that lasts a lifetime. If you have any questions about retention or orthodontic treatment in general, feel free to call us at (702) 774-2690 and we'd be happy to answer them. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve a beautiful new smile!