Robust Dental Retainers

THE ORTHODONTIC’S CHOICE FOR RETAINERS

At Robust Dental Lab, we produce a number of different retainers to ensure that all of our orthodontic customers can choose their preffered appliance. We offer the Essix, Hawley, and Begg retainers along with the lingual wire, and we promise a four-day turnaround and six month warranty.

However, if you are ever unhappy with the retainer (or any other orthodontic case you receive from Robust), let us know right away and we will make it right.

To get started with your first order, contact us today.

ROBUST RETAINER SPECIFICATIONS

PRODUCTS

- Clear retainer (Essix)
- Hawley retainer with various colors
- Begg retainer with different colors
- Lingual wire

MATERIALS

Plastic sheet: Erkodent from Germany

Retainer resin and wire: Dentaurum from Germany

TURNAROUND

4 days


WARRANTY

6 months


Featured Dental Retainers

Vitallium Framework

Hawley Retainer

Hawley retainers are removable retainers made of bendable wire and plastic or acrylic material. The wire is passed through the front of the tooth, and the plastic or acrylic part is custom-made to fit snugly in the mouth. With these retainers, you can choose from a wide variety of styles and colors. Hawley retainers are constructed to allow natural tooth contact for added comfort. It can last for a long time if it is properly cared for. They are also easy to clean.

Vitallium Framework

Clear Retainer

Clear retainers are removable retainers designed to fit your newly positioned teeth perfectly. They are usually thermoformed from clear plastic sheets. These are one of the most popular types of dental retainer, because they are virtually invisible compared to the Hawley retainer. Also, they are less bulky and less likely to interfere with your speech. However, clear retainers have a relatively short lifespan, because the plastic eventually wears out and may even crack.

Standard Framework

Lingual Wire Retainer

Lingual wire retainers (or fixed tongue retainers) have a wire attached to the inside of the front tooth, so it cannot be seen when you smile. It is often used after you have worn clear retainers or Hawley retainers. The best thing about a lingual wire is that it is a permanent retainer (sticks to the teeth). However, you should be sure to clean it carefully, so it doesn’t lead to plaque build-up and subsequent dental problems.

DENTAL RETAINER FAQs

A dental retainer is a plastic or metal device that helps hold your teeth in place after finishing an orthodontic treatment with braces or invisible aligners. They are specially designed for each patient and prevent teeth from shifting into their original position before receiving braces.

Dental retainers are as important as an orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth. After straightening the teeth and removing the braces, the wearer’s teeth remain in a new, unstable position. It will take time for them to adjust to their new biological position and settle down. Retainers “retain” your teeth in their new position, preventing recurrence and damage from expensive orthodontic treatments. Because of this, the first year after orthodontic treatment is crucial.

Note that retainers are not the same as braces or clear aligners. Braces and clear aligners gradually move your teeth into a straighter position over several cycles. When you take off your braces or clear aligners, your orthodontist suddenly tells you that you need a retainer, which ensures your smile remains attractive. Here are some main function of a dental retainer:

  • Stabilize your bite
  • Preventive treatment reversal
  • Keep space for wisdom teeth and new teeth
  • Align the jawbone with the gums
  • Helps teeth stay in place

Generally, retainers are made of metal, plastic, acrylic, or polyurethane and fit the new position of the tooth. This “tool” is strong enough to keep your teeth from returning to their original position. Ultimately, whatever your braces initially straightened will stay straight because of the retainer.

To make a custom retainer, your orthodontists will make a dental impression or digital scan on your teeth. Then they’ll send it to Robust dental lab, which will  produce a retainer that fits in your mouth. At your next visit, your orthodontists will make sure it fits you comfortably before giving you instructions on how to wear it.

Advantages of permanent retainers

  • In the most prone to recurrence, permanent retainers are ideal.
  • The permanent retainer does not need to be removed before meals or other activities, saving daily removal and replacement time.

Disadvantages of permanent retainers

  • Since the retainer is attached between the teeth, using the retainer can prolong the flossing time.
  • They can sometimes affect oral hygiene because they are more susceptible to surrounding plaque.
  • Hard, sticky, brittle food may cause the retainer to break.
  • They are only attached to the 6 front teeth and therefore do not prevent the back teeth from recurring. Sometimes, they cause language barriers.

There are two main types of dental retainers – removable retainers and permanent retainers. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types. Read on to learn more about both types before you make a decision.

Advantages of removable retainers

  • The transparent retainer is almost invisible and easy to wear. It completely covers the teeth, keeping them in their new position.
  • Easier to clean and help maintain good oral hygiene, because you can remove them before brushing and flossing.
  • Easy teeth whitening and clear retention after treatment. The patient can apply bleach inside the retainer and use it as a bleaching tray.

Disadvantages of removable retainers

  • You need to remove retainers before eating
  • You need to remove retainers before drinking hot water
  • You need to remove retainers before drinking coffee or strong tea, since they will get stained
  • Patients usually lose them.

Every orthodontic treatment is unique, and the exact time your retainer is worn depends on the type of orthodontic correction you receive. Specifically, wearing a removable dental retainer is divided into several stages.

In some cases, your orthodontist will install a permanent retainer behind your teeth. Patients receiving this treatment will wear the retainer all the time, even while they eat and brush their teeth. This type of retainer can only be removed by a dentist, and when removed, the patient will be given a removable retainer that can be worn while sleeping.

Usually, you will have to wear removable retainers for at least 1 year. However, if you have some teeth extracted, you will have to wear retainers for 2 years. Most patients get a set of retainers that are removed for eating and brushing. We see the best results when our clients wear the retainers according to the following times:

  • The first 6 months: During this period, retainers should be worn for more than 22 hours a day. They should only be removed when brushing, flossing, or eating. Your orthodontist will continue to monitor your progress and then approve you to wear them only at night.
  • After 6months: After the first 6 months, you’ll wear retainers for 12 hours a day (or nightly) for the next 6 months. By the end of the first year, your teeth should be stronger and less likely to come back any time soon. However, that doesn’t mean your days with retainers are over.
  • From year two to the rest of your life: Now, you can wear retainers occasionally, but a good rule of thumb is to wear it every other night.

Do’s:

  • Follow instructions for wearing, cleaning, and storing.

  • Rinse with cold or warm water after eating/drinking. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste.

  • Store in a designated case when not in use.

  • Label your retainer case with your name and number.

  • Brush your teeth after meals and before wearing.

  • Use your hands to place it properly—never bite down.

Don’ts:

  • Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash, bleach, or hot water (they damage the retainer).

  • Don’t wrap it in a napkin—easy to lose or throw away.

  • Don’t play with or bite the retainer into place.

  • Keep out of reach of kids and pets.

  • Don’t use baking soda, hard-bristled brushes, or drink anything but water while wearing.

  • Remove it for contact sports and swimming.

  • Retainers don’t last forever—replace when worn out.

If you forget to wear it, wear it longer during the day to realign teeth. If it no longer fits, contact your dentist.

If you wear a fixed retainer, you’ll need to avoid most of the same foods as wearing braces. Some of these include, but are not limited to:

  • Chewing gum
  • Sticky Candy
  • Nut
  • Hard candy
  • Ice
  • Popcorn
  • Tough, chewy foods

For foods like ice and hard candies, the consensus is not to bite them. It’s okay to leave them in your mouth and let them dissolve, but don’t try to chew them. Any food that could get caught between the teeth and the retainer or damage the retainer should be avoided.

When it comes to a removable retainer, the list of foods to avoid isn’t long. As you might have guessed, you can eat anything that has a removable retainer.

Before eating or drinking, remove your braces and eat as normal. The only two rules you need to pay attention to are: keep the retainer in a safe place when eating and don’t try to eat with the removable retainer on.

When the unavoidable happens, you should make an appointment with an orthodontist as soon as possible. If you’ve had retainers for less than a year, you’ll want to schedule an emergency appointment to get a new one. Remember, the longer you wait, the longer it will take for the teeth to return to their original position.

Contact Robust Dental Lab