Which Retainer Is Right for You?
We want you to feel completely comfortable with your choice, so we offer a few different types based on what fits your life best:
- Vivera™ Retainers: These are a fantastic option for those who finished treatment with braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, or Smile Express®. They are custom-made using the same high-quality technology as the Invisalign system for a precise, comfortable fit.
- Clear Retainers: These are very popular because they’re nearly invisible! They fit snugly over your teeth, similar to an Invisalign aligner tray, so you can keep your smile looking natural while protecting it.
- Hawley Retainers: This is the classic style made of a thin acrylic piece that fits your palate with a wire that rests against the front of your teeth. They are very durable and come in fun colors if you want to add a little personality.
- Bonded Retainers: If you’d rather not have to remember to put something in every night, we can often place a "permanent" wire behind your teeth. It stays out of sight and keeps things in place 24/7.
Yay! Completing your treatment is such a special moment. Whether you just finished with braces, Invisalign treatment, or Smile Express, you finally get to share that beautiful new smile with the world! Even though your teeth look wonderful and straight now, we still need to work together to keep them that way. That’s where your retainer comes in.
You might be wondering why you need another appliance after all that time in treatment. It’s a great question! Your teeth actually have a bit of a "memory" from where they used to be. Without a little support from a retainer, those gum fibers and bone can let teeth drift back toward their old spots. Wearing your retainer is just like any other kind of self-care, it’s the best way to protect the investment you’ve made in yourself.
Caring for Your Retainers
Always Wear Your Retainer
We’ll give you a specific plan that’s just for you, but most of our patients find that wearing their retainer for about eight hours every night does the trick. We like to say, “nighttime for a lifetime!” It’s the easiest way to make sure your smile stays as healthy as the day your treatment ended.
Keep Retainers Away From Hot Surfaces
Your retainer was custom-molded just for you, which makes it very effective but also a bit sensitive to heat. To keep it from losing its shape, please keep it away from hot water, washing machines, or sunny dashboards in the car. A retainer that doesn't fit right won't be able to do its job comfortably.
Clean Your Retainer Regularly
Just like your teeth, your retainer needs a little daily love. Giving it a gentle brush once a day with a separate toothbrush and rinsing it well helps keep everything fresh and keeps food debris away. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for your oral health.
Keep Retainers Away From Pets
We love our furry friends, but they tend to think retainers make great chew toys! To keep yours safe, always put it back in its case and keep it in a spot where pets can’t reach it.
Retainers Reviews
Always pleasant when my daughter and I would had appointments together. Now that I’m in retainers, they always work around my schedule to schedule my daughter’s appointments. The staff are always pleasant and friendly and Dr.Lee is amazing and very informative.
I would totally recommend this office. Every encounter I had with the staff was very pleasant. They’re all so nice and professional in including Dr. Lee. The price of the braces are affordable and they do offer payment plans. I also love the color selections of bands that go on braces. They made sure my teeth were perfect before they fitted me for my retainers which I appreciated. Overall I had a great experience and I’m hoping you do as well!
This place is a great!! They are all so nice and patient, the guy who does the financial portion was very helpful and made sure I understood what I was paying for and helped me get the most benefits I could (and answered my millions of questions)!! This is my second time here because I did not where my retainers the first lol but they didn’t make me feel bad or anything they just welcomed me back with open arms! Thank you all for being so nice and upbeat !!
Always pleasant when my daughter and I would had appointments together. Now that my daughter and I are in retainers, they make sure to schedule us in a timely manner if we are in need of something. The staff are always pleasant, always remember who you are, friendly and Dr.Lee is amazing and very informative.
They did an amazing job with my braces and all the work I've needed since, everyone is super nice, there is very little wait time, and the appointments are quick.I've definitely got my money's worth.11/10, would recommend if you need braces, retainers, Invisalign, or any other devices to fix your crooked teeth :)
9
Total Reviews
5
Star Average Rating
How Can We Help?
We’re so proud of the progress you’ve made. If you have questions about your retainer or need a new one, we’re right here for you.
Our 5-Star Experience
Nothing makes us happier than seeing our patients feel confident and cared for.
Come Visit Us
At Charleston Orthodontic Specialists Powered by Smile Doctors, we’re all about helping you find the healthy, spectacular smile you’ve always wanted. We’ll be right by your side every step of the way to make sure you feel at home.
Summerville
1101 N. Main St. Ste. #305
Summerville, SC 29483
Learn more about our Summerville location.
Mt. Pleasant
695 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Ste. #200
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Learn more about our Mt Pleasant location.
West Ashley
975 Savannah Hwy. Ste. #107-B
Charleston, SC 29407
Learn more about our West Ashley location.
Give us a call at (843) 642-8100
Our team is available Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
