Wearing an orthodontic retainer is a rite of passage for anyone who has worn dental braces. It marks the final stage of your orthodontic treatment plan. Colored retainers are available to help add a little personality to an otherwise average-looking device.
After your dental braces come off, your dentist or orthodontist will fit you for an orthodontic retainer. The job of this removable device is to keep your teeth in place as they settle into the jawbone and soft tissue at their new location. This can take a while, and your dentist may recommend that you wear your retainer full time for the first several months, then just at night after that. The good news is that like dental braces, today's orthodontic retainers can be designed to fit your particular style. Why not have some fun with it?
Options Abound
There are several different types of retainers, and your dentist or orthodontist will determine which is best for you. The most common is a Hawley retainer, which is made of acrylic that is molded to the shape of your mouth and contains a wire to hold your teeth in place. The acrylic part of the retainer can be made in traditional flesh tone or you can get creative with it.
How creative? Retainers come in an array of different colors, from glow in the dark to neon and tropical. There are decals and glitters to choose from, even fun designs. Think stars and stripes, music notes and happy faces and you get the idea. More artistic types might even choose to create a customized design. Just keep in mind that your canvas is the size of a quarter!
Remember: These vivid colors and fancy designs are mostly for your amusement. The only part of the retainer anyone else will see while you're wearing it is the metal wire holding your teeth in place.