RETAINERS

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KEEP YOUR SMILE LOOKING ITS BEST

You’ve worked hard for your new smile. Now it’s time to protect it! Whether you have completed treatment with braces or clear aligners, wearing your retainers is an important part of maintaining your results. Our teeth can naturally shift over time, so consistent wear of your retainers helps keep your smile aligned long after active orthodontic treatment is complete.

At Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg, Dr. Elena Black and our skilled Smile Squad are here to help you protect your results with personalized retainer options and a welcoming team here to support you. And because we know that life happens—sometimes your retainer gets lost or broken—we also offer our Love My Smile™ Retainer Program to make replacing Essix retainers easier.

WHY DO I NEED A RETAINER?

Getting your teeth into alignment is only part of your orthodontic journey. Once active treatment is complete, your teeth still need a little support as they settle into their new positions. Without consistent retention, our teeth can gradually shift. Wearing your retainers as directed helps protect the results you’ve worked hard to achieve and keeps your smile looking its best. Whether you had braces or clear aligners, retention is an important part of maintaining your results.

Essix Clear Retainers

Essix retainers are made from a smooth, transparent plastic material designed to fit closely over your teeth, and because they’re clear, they’re also a great discreet option for a lot of our patients. Patients love Essix retainers because they are:

  • Clear and discreet
  • Smooth and comfortable
  • Removable
  • Easy to clean
  • Custom-made for your smile

You can remove your Essix retainer when eating and when brushing and flossing, which allows you to continue your normal oral hygiene routine while being proactive about keeping your new smile in place.

Hawley Retainers

Hawley retainers are a traditional orthodontic retainers made with an acrylic component and a metal wire that helps hold your teeth in their corrected positions. They’re a durable and time-tested option for maintaining orthodontic results. Our patients love Hawley retainers because they are:

  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Removable
  • Adjustable
  • Classic and reliable
  • Custom-made for your smile

Depending on your smile and treatment needs, Dr. Elena Black can help you determine whether a Hawley or Essix retainer is the better choice for you.

Love My Smile™ Retainer Program

Lost Your Retainer? We’ve Got Your Back.

Maybe you left your retainer after setting it down to eat lunch. Maybe it disappeared somewhere in your house. Or maybe your dog really did think it was a new chew toy.

Whatever happened, replacing a retainer doesn’t have to be stressful.

Our Love My Smile™ Retainer Program is designed to make replacement Essix retainers more convenient and affordable.

Here’s how it works:

  • Pay a one-time fee. The initial program fee is less than the cost of two sets.

  • Purchase additional Essix retainers for five years. If you lose or damage your retainer, enrolled patients can easily purchase additional Essix sets during the next five years for a small copay, as needed.

  • Enjoy a lifetime of smiles! It’s that easy!

Tips For Taking Care Of Your Retainers

A little extra care can help keep your retainers clean and in good condition.

  • Wear your retainers as directed. Consistent wear is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your orthodontic results.

  • Clean them regularly. Use a non-alcohol-based retainer cleaner to clean your retainers regularly.

  • Keep them away from heat. Avoid rinsing your Essix retainers in hot water or exposing it to warm beverages while wearing it. Heat can affect the shape of the plastic.

  • Keep them away from pets. Your Smile Squad loves your pets. Your retainers? Maybe not so much. Be sure to keep it somewhere your pets can’t reach it.

  • Use your retainer case. Don’t wrap your retainers in a napkin or leave them loose in your pocket. When you’re not wearing them, keep them safely stored in their case.

FAQs

How long do I need to wear my retainer?

Retainer wear is a long-term part of maintaining your orthodontic results. Dr. Elena Black will give you specific instructions based on your smile and treatment.

An Essix retainer is a clear plastic retainer that fits over your teeth, while a Hawley retainer uses an acrylic component and metal wire to hold your teeth in place. Both are designed to help maintain your orthodontic results.

Clean your retainer regularly with a non-alcohol-based retainer cleaner. Avoid hot water, which can affect the shape of a plastic retainer.

Don’t force it into place. If your retainer no longer fits as it should, contact Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg so our Smile Squad can help determine what you need to do next.

Be sure to contact our office as soon as possible. If you’re enrolled in the Love My Smile™ Retainer Program, you can purchase an additional Essix retainer for a small copay during the five-year program period.

Yes. Retention is still an important part of maintaining your results after orthodontic treatment, whether you had clear aligners or braces. Dr. Elena Black will recommend a retention plan based on your individual smile.

Keep Loving Your Smile

Your orthodontic treatment may be finished, but your smile deserves continued care.

Dr. Elena Black and the Smile Squad at Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg are here to help you protect your results for years to come, and with our Love My Smile™ Retainer Program, keeping up with replacement Essix retainers can be a little easier when life happens. Ready to keep your new smile looking its best? Contact Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg today!

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READY FOR YOUR NEW SMILE?

Let’s Make it Happen!

Let’s get started on your new smile! During your complimentary consultation, we will take a look at your smile, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions and our expert smile maker, Dr. Elena Black, will recommend an individualized treatment plan just for you.

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3700 Old Forest Rd.

Lynchburg, VA 24501

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TEXT: 800-459-4985 
CALL: 434-515-0370
FAX: 434-338-6552