Lafayette Retainers
Keep Your Smile Straight for Life
At Johnson Orthodontics, Dr. Jacob Johnson provides retainers designed to protect your smile after orthodontic treatment is complete. Retainers help prevent teeth from shifting once braces or aligners come off. With consistent wear, they support long-term alignment and lasting oral health.
Retention Options for Long-Term Results
Wearing a retainer is the only reliable way to maintain your smile after braces or clear aligner treatment is complete. Once teeth are straight, they naturally want to shift back, and retainers help keep everything in place.
At Johnson Orthodontics, Dr. Johnson offers multiple retainer options to match different needs, lifestyles, and stages of treatment. Each option is selected with long-term stability and ease of use in mind.
Essix Retainers
Essix retainers are clear, lightweight trays that fit snugly over the teeth, similar in appearance to clear aligners. They’re a popular choice for patients who want a discreet, comfortable way to maintain their results.
Essix retainers are created using digital scans of your teeth to ensure a precise, full-coverage fit. They’re removable, nearly invisible, and easy to wear—making them a convenient option for everyday life while still providing effective retention.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers are a traditional, time-tested option used to maintain alignment after orthodontic treatment. They’re known for their durability and long-term adaptability.
Made from a combination of acrylic and metal wire, Hawley retainers are custom-molded to your smile. Because they’re adjustable, Dr. Johnson can refine the fit if minor shifting occurs—often without needing to replace the retainer.
In-House Retainers
In-house retainers are custom-made directly at our Lafayette office, allowing for faster turnaround and easier replacement if a retainer is lost or damaged.
Using digital scans and in-office 3D printing technology, these retainers are fabricated from clear, BPA-free plastic on site. This streamlined process helps patients begin retention sooner and maintain consistent protection for their smile.
Fixed Retainers
In select cases, a fixed retainer may be recommended to help maintain alignment in specific areas of the smile.
Fixed retainers are bonded to the back of the lower front teeth and are used only when appropriate. When a fixed retainer is placed, it’s typically paired with a removable retainer to support overall alignment.
Phase 1 Retainers
After Phase I orthodontic treatment, younger patients may need a specialized retainer to preserve early results until they’re ready for Phase II. Once growth reaches the right stage, patients can transition into Phase II treatment with a stable foundation already in place.
How to Care for Your Retainer
Your orthodontic treatment doesn’t end when braces or aligners come off. Proper retainer care is essential for keeping your teeth in their new positions and protecting the results you worked hard to achieve.
Follow these guidelines to help your smile stay straight and healthy:
- Wear your retainers whenever you’re home unless we tell you otherwise. You can remove them to eat and brush your teeth and to swim or play contact sports.
- Bring your retainer to follow-up appointments so we can make sure your retainer still fits correctly.
- Keep your retainer case with you so your retainers stay safe when you’re not wearing them. Always placing them in your case can prevent costly replacements.
- Call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you notice that your retainer doesn’t fit properly or is cracked or broken.
- Call us right away if you lose your retainer. The longer you go without a retainer, the more quickly and likely your teeth will shift out of alignment.
- Clear your retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and warm—but not hot—water. This helps remove plaque and eliminate odors.
- Practice talking, reading, or singing out loud while wearing your retainer so your mouth adjusts quickly.
- Keep your retainers away from heat—including hot water, hot cars, the washing machine or dryer, and even your pockets—so they don’t warp and break easily.
- Treat your retainers with care and they’ll last as long as you need them to during your retention phase.
Retainers FAQs
Wondering what life with retainers is like after orthodontic treatment? Here’s what to expect when maintaining your smile with retainers at Johnson Orthodontics in Lafayette.
Keep Your Smile on Track
Retainers play a vital role in protecting your orthodontic results. If you have questions about retention or need a new retainer, contact Johnson Orthodontics to schedule a free consult and keep your smile exactly where it belongs.