Through the course of multiple adjustment sessions, Dr. Chris Shannon and the orthodontic specialists at his Davenport, Florida, clinic have brought your son or daughter’s teeth into their ideal alignment. This means the orthodontic hardware can now be removed, allowing them to finally enjoy their new smile.

While this is certainly exciting news, it is not the end of the realignment process. Without the use of a retainer, their teeth could gradually relapse out of position, reversing the benefits the braces provide. There are three different types of retainers that Dr. Chris Shannon might prescribe.

Hawley-style retainers are the most common. This is a thin, acrylic base molded to match the roof of their mouth. It is removable yet it securely attaches to their teeth with a set of sturdy wires.

Dr. Chris Shannon could recommend a clear, plastic retainer if your child’s teeth only required minor orthodontic adjustment by braces. This is also a common type of retainer for people who have had their teeth realigned by Invisalign®.

A fixed retainer might be called for if your son or daughter’s teeth needed a significant amount of adjustment from braces. This is a stiff metal band that is cemented behind their teeth with a strong dental adhesive. In some cases, our orthodontist might cement a fixed retainer behind the lower front teeth then fit them for a Hawley retainer for the upper teeth.

It might take their mouth a few days to fully adapt to the retainer. This might result in a few days of excess salivation. In time, the mouth will adapt and saliva production will return to normal.

If your son or daughter is due to have their braces removed and you have questions about retainers in Davenport, Florida, you can always call 863-353-6867 to speak to a member of the staff at Shannon Orthodontics.