The Benefits of Clear Tray Retainers

The day your appliances come off is an exciting time for any orthodontic patient. At Choice Orthodontics, we strive to make treatment a breeze for all our patients from start to finish. However, once your appliances come off, one of the most important parts of the process begins with retention. Retention is the part of the process that keeps your newly straightened teeth aligned after appliances are removed.

There are a few different types of retainers available these days, one of the more popular types being clear tray retainers. But how do these work and what are the benefits of using clear tray retainers over other types?
 

Types of Retainers

There are three main types of retainers in use today:
 

• Plastic and wire retainers: this more traditional form of retainer consists of a hard plastic piece shaped to fit the roof of your mouth, with a wire that comes down around your teeth to keep them in place.
• Clear tray retainers: these retainers are made of smooth, clear plastic that completely encompasses the teeth and appears virtually invisible while worn.
• Permanent bonded retainers: these retainers are small metal bars that are permanently affixed to the back of teeth to keep them in place.

How Do Clear Tray Retainers Work?

Clear tray retainers work by snapping over your teeth to completely encompass them, holding them in place. Your orthodontist at Choice Orthodontics will take a mold of your teeth and then use this mold to create the plastic trays which will fit over your newly aligned teeth.
 

Benefits of Clear Tray Retainers

Unlike more traditional plastic and wire retainers, clear tray retainers are not only more comfortable to wear since they don't sit against the roof of your mouth, but they also make it easier to speak while wearing. Many patients find speaking with a plastic and wire retainer takes some time to adjust to, however, this is all avoided with clear tray retainers.
 

See an Orthodontic Specialist at Choice Orthodontics Today

At Choice Orthodontics, we strongly believe everyone deserves a confident, healthy smile they are proud to show off. Our orthodontic specialists strive to provide quality, individualized treatment to each patient to address their individual needs from beginning to end. If you're ready to get started on your orthodontic journey, contact us today to schedule an appointment with a Choice Orthodontics orthodontic specialist in Northeast Kansas or Northwest Missouri, or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy new smile!