Retainers in Arvada

Straightening your teeth through orthodontic treatment is the first step to a lifetime of beautiful smiles. The next step is maintaining the health and alignment of your teeth with a properly fitted retainer. At West Arvada, we offer high-quality retainers to all our patients to help keep their smiles straight. Depending on your needs, we can recommend the retainer that’s perfect for you.

Each case is different, and every patient has different needs. That is why our practice offers retainers to fit your unique orthodontic treatment plan. You may need one retainer for just your top or bottom teeth, or you may require two. Most patients begin wearing retainers all day and then eventually transition to wearing them at night during sleep. This will vary depending on your needs.

There are two types of retainers: removable and fixed. Removable retainers are typically worn for a year or more. Fixed retainers are adhered to the backs of your teeth using dental cement and can be worn for several years. Retainers commonly come in two styles:

• Acrylic: Acrylic retainers are made from acrylic and bendable wire. They are adjustable and can come in different colors.
• Clear: Clear retainers are made of transparent plastic. They are less noticeable than acrylic retainers and are often preferred by adult and teen patients.

It’s important to take care of your retainer. Always take it out during meals to avoid staining and unwanted food particles. Your retainer will develop plaque and bacteria from consistent wear, and you’ll want to keep it clean from leftover food and other debris. Care for your retainer depends on which style you choose.

For acrylic retainers, rinse it out several times throughout the day with warm water. Never use hot water, as heat will warp and damage your retainer. Retainers will also crack if they dry out, so be sure soak it in water whenever not in use. To keep your retainer clean and fresh, you can soak it in mouthwash or denture cleaning solution.

For clear retainers, rinse your retainer with warm water every time you take it out, then clean it with a drop of dish soap on a soft-bristle toothbrush. Be sure to scrub your retainer inside and out, then rinse it again before putting it back in. Never use toothpaste to clean your retainer. Toothpaste is too abrasive and will permanently scratch up your retainer.

Maintain your beautiful smile with a retainer from our practice. For retainers in Arvada, call our office at (720) 800-9331 today.