The Gift of a Beautiful Grin for Good

After you get your dream smile with orthodontic treatment, you want to keep it looking great! That's where retainers come in. Jonathan Shouhed, DDS, is proud to provide the best orthodontic treatment with retainers in Beverly Hills at West LA Orthodontics to keep his patients' smiles beautiful and aligned. You can keep that gorgeous, straight grin for good!

What Is a Retainer?

The purpose of a retainer is to maintain the alignment of your teeth. Dr. J typically prescribes a retainer when you complete an orthodontic treatment like traditional metal braces or clear plastic aligners such as Invisalign® or Smile Rx Custom Aligners with West LA Orthodontics.

A retainer might be worn for a few years or even indefinitely, depending on the particulars of your smile. It's an easy and effective way to maintain your straight smile after orthodontic treatment. There are two types of retainers: fixed and removable.

What Is a Fixed Retainer?

Fixed retainers are thin wires permanently attached along the back of your front teeth. Dr. J makes an impression of your teeth to custom make your retainer so it fits perfectly and remains comfortable.

To keep your teeth clean, use a floss threader when you wear a fixed retainer (just as when you wear braces). Because a fixed retainer holds your teeth in position 24/7, it provides excellent results in maintaining a beautiful smile.

What Is a Removable Retainer?

A removable retainer can be easily taken out of your mouth or popped quickly back in. Dr. J offers two types of removable retainers for his patients:

Hawley Retainers in Beverly Hills

Hawley retainers are made of thin wire and clasps attached to an acrylic base. A clasp around your back teeth holds the retainer in place and a thin wire runs across your upper or lower teeth to keep them aligned.

Hawley retainers are long-lasting and durable. Sometimes they can be difficult to speak with at first, but your mouth eventually adjusts to them.

Clear Retainers in Beverly Hills

Clear retainers are made from a smooth plastic that's incredibly comfortable and discreet. Clear retainers are the best choice for aesthetics, but they might stain over time and require more frequent replacement.

Why Do You Need to Wear Retainers?

Retainers keep your new smile in place and ensure your teeth stay aligned after they have been moved by your aligners or braces. After your braces are removed, Dr. J will want you to wear your retainer day and night for three months. Typically they are only removed when drinking (except for water), eating, brushing, and flossing your teeth.

If your teeth aren't showing signs of shifting after three months, you may only need to wear a retainer at night or only for a few hours during the day.

As part of our commitment to high-quality care, Dr. J has created a lifetime retainer program. He has reduced replacement retainer costs by using state-of-the-art orthodontic technology and he passes those savings on to his patients. Dr. J's retainers are custom-made for patients and can prevent an orthodontic relapse.

Make sure you don't let your dream smile slip away after orthodontic treatment! We know it takes time, effort and commitment to get the happy, healthy smile you have always wanted. Dr. J wants everyone to be proud of their grin, whatever their finances and circumstances. That's why even if you had your orthodontic treatment elsewhere, you can still get your retainer from West LA Orthodontics.

Ready to schedule your retainer consultation to preserve your smile for years to come with the best orthodontic treatment in Beverly Hills?