Retainers

Retainers

Lake Forest & Gurnee Retainers

Keep Your Smile Straight & Healthy

Retainers at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry help protect your results after braces or clear aligner treatment. By wearing your retainer as directed, you can keep your teeth in their new positions and enjoy your smile for years to come.

Retainers Made To Protect Your Results

After braces or clear aligner treatment, your teeth need support to stay in their new positions. Retainers help keep your smile straight, stable, and healthy long after active treatment is complete.

At Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, our orthodontists offer retainers in Lake Forest and Gurnee to help protect the smile you worked hard to achieve. Our team will recommend the right type of retainer for your needs and show you how to wear and care for it.

Essix Retainers

Essix retainers at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry are clear, comfortable trays made to help maintain your smile after braces or clear aligner treatment.

They fit closely over your teeth, similar to clear aligners, giving you a simple and low-profile way to protect your results.

How Essix Retainers Work

Essix retainers are custom-made from digital scans of your teeth, so they fit your smile closely and comfortably.

Because they are clear and removable, they can be easy to wear during your retention routine. They help hold your teeth in place while blending naturally into your day-to-day life.

Hawley Retainers

Hawley retainers are a trusted option for keeping your smile straight and stable after orthodontic treatment at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry.

They are durable, removable, and custom-made to fit your smile, making them a reliable choice for long-term retention.

How Hawley Retainers Work

Hawley retainers use a plastic base and a thin metal wire to help keep your teeth in their proper positions after braces or clear aligner treatment.

One benefit of a Hawley retainer is that it can be adjusted in certain situations. If your teeth shift slightly, your orthodontist may be able to adjust your retainer to better support your smile and help keep your retention plan on track.

In-House Retainers

Your smile is unique, and your retainer should be made to fit it well. At Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, our team can create custom retainers to help protect your smile after treatment.

These retainers are made to fit comfortably, support your results, and make your retention routine easier to keep up with.

How In-House Retainers Work

In-house retainers at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry are made from clear, comfortable plastic and customized for your smile.

First, we’ll take digital scans of your teeth. Then, our team can use those scans to create a retainer that fits your smile closely and helps hold your teeth in place.

Because these retainers are made through our office, replacing a lost or broken retainer may be faster and easier. That means you can get back to protecting your smile with less delay.

Fixed Retainers

Some patients may need a fixed retainer after orthodontic treatment at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry.

A fixed retainer is bonded behind the teeth, where it helps hold them in place without needing to be removed each day.

How Fixed Retainers Work

Fixed retainers are usually placed behind the lower front teeth and are recommended only when they make sense for your smile.

If you need a fixed retainer, your orthodontist may also recommend a removable retainer, such as an Essix or Hawley retainer. This helps support your full smile and protect your results over time.

Phase 1 Retainers

After Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, some younger patients may need a special retainer to help maintain their progress until they are ready for Phase 2.

At Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, the orthodontist will let you know if your child needs a Phase 1 retainer and explain how it fits into their long-term treatment plan.

How Phase 1 Retainers Work

A Phase 1 retainer is designed to help support the results achieved during early orthodontic treatment. Depending on your child’s needs, this may include a removable appliance that helps guide jaw position, support growth, or hold space as more permanent teeth come in.

As your child continues to grow, our team will monitor their smile and let you know when it is time to consider the next phase of treatment.

How To Take Care of Your Retainer

Your smile journey doesn’t end when your braces come off. To maintain your new, straight, healthy smile, you’ll need to make sure to take care of your retainers and wear them correctly.

Follow these instructions to ensure your confident smile lasts a lifetime:

  • 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 likely and quickly your teeth will shift out of alignment.
  • Clean 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? Here’s what to expect when retaining your smile post-treatment at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry.