A retainer is the quiet but important final chapter of any orthodontic journey. It keeps your teeth in their new position long after treatment ends - and at Cheshire Orthodontics, your first retainer is included as standard with every full treatment plan.
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After active treatment finishes, your teeth need a little time to settle in their new position. Without something to hold them there, they have a tendency to drift back over time - that's where retainers come in. They're a quiet, simple way of locking in everything your braces or aligner treatment has just achieved.
There are two main types - removable clear retainers that look a lot like aligners, and discreet fixed wires bonded behind the front teeth. At Cheshire Orthodontics we often recommend pairing the two for extra security, and your orthodontic specialist will explain what's best for your specific case.
Wearing a removable retainer quickly becomes second nature. For the first few months we'll usually ask you to wear it for most of the day, then gradually step down to nights only. After a year or two, a few nights a week is often enough - though we recommend keeping them on hand for life if you'd like the result to last for life.
Fixed retainers, on the other hand, do their job quietly in the background - bonded behind your front teeth, they don't need any input from you day-to-day. We'll check them at your follow-up visits to make sure everything is sitting where it should, and replace the bond if it ever loosens.
A retainer is a small thing that does a big job. Here's what patients value most.
Help keep your teeth in their new position once active treatment finishes.
Choose the option that fits your lifestyle best, or pair the two for added security.
Each retainer is shaped precisely for your teeth, for a snug, comfortable fit.
Removable retainers are virtually invisible, and fixed retainers sit hidden behind your teeth.
Simple, straightforward care routines that fit easily into your day.
We're here for replacements, repairs and check-ins long after treatment ends.
If you're finishing your treatment with us, your retainer is already built into the plan. We capture a 3D scan of your teeth in their final position before your braces come off (or your last aligner), so your retainer is ready to fit the same day. For some patients we'll also bond a thin discreet wire behind the front teeth as a belt-and-braces measure. If you're a new patient who's lost or outgrown an old retainer, a consultation is the place to start.
The first few weeks with a new retainer take a little getting used to, but most patients tell us it becomes part of their bedtime routine quickly. We'll walk you through how to clean it, how to store it safely (never wrapped in a tissue at a restaurant) and what to do if it ever feels loose or uncomfortable.
We keep your scan on record long after your treatment ends, so if a retainer is ever lost, broken, or simply tired-looking down the line, we can make a replacement without having to start from scratch. It's a small thing, but it means the result you worked for stays protected for years to come.
Find answers to the most common questions about retainers.
We're conveniently located in Sandbach with parking at Brookhouse Road car park. Book a consultation and start your smile journey today.
Cheshire Orthodontics
17A Welles St, Sandbach
CW11 1GT
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