Orthodontic Retention

You've worked hard for your beautiful smile; keep it that way!

Finally, your braces have been removed and your smile is beautiful, straight, and best of all, metal-free! However, your orthodontic journey isn't quite completed. To keep your smile looking its best, you'll have to wear a retainer to preserve and stabilize your results. Retainers are needed to control or limit potential changes in tooth position. They are used after braces treatment to hold teeth in their correct alignment while the surrounding gums, bone, and muscle adjust to the new positioning of your teeth.

Types of Retainers

Retainers are custom-made and can be removable or fixed.


Traditional removable retainers typically include a metal wire that surrounds the front teeth and is attached to an acrylic arch that sits in the roof of the mouth. The metal wires can be adjusted to finish treatment and continue minor movement of the front teeth as needed.


Aligner-style retainers, or Essix retainers, look similar to clear aligners and offer a more aesthetic alternative to wire retainers. This clear retainer may fit over the entire arch of your teeth, or only from canine to canine (clip-on retainer). It is produced from a mold of your newly aligned teeth.


Fixed retainers consist of wires bonded behind the bottom and/or top teeth. While the device is usually required no more than a year after wisdom teeth have been extracted, it is often kept in place for life.

Pros and Cons

  • Removable retainers can be taken out for eating and hygiene routines.
  • Removable retainers can get lost easily, so remember to keep yours in the case whenever you remove it to eat or brush.
  • A fixed retainer is great if you don't want to keep track of it, or if you don't want to worry about how many hours per day it must be worn.
  • Teeth with fixed retainers require a little extra attention to remove tartar while flossing. Patients with fixed retainers often must use floss threaders to pass dental floss through the small spaces between the retainer and the teeth.

What Our Patients are Saying

“From day one, Dr. Long and his staff have made me and my kids feel like family. My family and I have a very busy schedule, but the hour and a half commute to Dr. Long’s office is well worth it for me. We are always greeted with a smile. Dr. Long and his staff are always positive, never discouraging, and implemented the right game plan for both of my children. It’s been such a pleasure, and I know after it’s all said and done, I have friends for life.”

~ Vince S.

“My family has been coming to Dr Long’s office for over a year now. With two daughters and myself as patients with Dr Long, we make quite a few trips to the office. The staff are always pleasant and friendly, and the work they do is outstanding!! The difference they have made in the lives of my kids and myself is amazing. We are much more self confident now that they have given us beautiful smiles. I would and have recommended Dr Long’s office to anyone and everyone!!!!”

~ Mary Y.

“Professionalism and kindness - two important factors when searching for an office to treat my children and Dr. Long's office has it. Since the very first consultation, we have felt very welcome. Dr. Long and his staff has always greeted us with smiles and takes the time to answer all our questions.”

~ Abby P.
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