Homewood & Pell City Retainers
Keep Your Smile Healthy for Life
Retainers at Feagin Family Orthodontics are key to keeping your teeth aligned after treatment. With the help of a retainer from Dr. Kyle Feagin, you can protect the health of your smile for years to come.
Retainers in Homewood & Pell City: Keeping Your Smile on Track
Wearing a retainer is the best way to maintain your results after braces or clear aligner treatment. Without consistent retention, teeth can gradually shift out of place.
At Feagin Family Orthodontics, Dr. Feagin offers several types of retainers to fit your needs and lifestyle. We’ll help you choose the right fit to keep your smile looking its best.
Essix Retainers
Essix retainers at Feagin Family Orthodontics are clear, removable trays that keep your teeth in their new positions after treatment. They’re a popular option for patients who want a low-profile way to maintain their smile.
How Essix Retainers Work
Essix retainers are created using digital scans of your teeth for a precise, custom fit. They gently hold your teeth in place while fitting comfortably into your daily routine.
Because they’re removable and nearly invisible, Essix retainers are easy to wear and easy to manage, making them a convenient choice for long-term retention.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers at Feagin Family Orthodontics are a durable, time-tested option for maintaining your smile after treatment. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for a retainer that’s long-lasting and easy to adjust over time.
How Hawley Retainers Work
Hawley retainers are made with a sturdy acrylic base and a thin metal wire that helps hold your teeth in place. They’re custom-made to fit your smile and provide reliable support after braces or clear aligner treatment.
Because they’re adjustable, Dr. Feagin can make small modifications if needed to keep your teeth on track. This flexibility can help extend the life of your retainer and support long-term results.
In-House Retainers
In-house retainers at Feagin Family Orthodontics are custom-made right in our office for a precise, reliable fit. This option allows us to create retainers more efficiently while keeping your treatment convenient and personalized.
How In-House Retainers Work
We use digital scans of your teeth to design your retainer with accuracy and consistency. By creating retainers in-house, we can streamline the process and get you started with retention more quickly.
If your retainer is ever lost or damaged, having your records on file makes it easier to create a replacement. This helps you stay on track and maintain your results without unnecessary delays.
Fixed Retainers
Fixed retainers offer a more permanent way to keep your teeth in place after treatment at Feagin Family Orthodontics. They’re typically recommended for certain cases where extra support is needed to maintain alignment.
How Fixed Retainers Work
A fixed retainer is a thin wire that’s bonded to the back of your teeth, usually along the lower front teeth. Because it stays in place, it works continuously to prevent shifting, so you don't need to remember to wear it.
In some cases, Dr. Feagin may recommend pairing a fixed retainer with a removable option to maintain your full smile. With the right combination, you’ll have added protection to keep your results on track.
Phase 1 Retainers
After Phase 1 treatment, some younger patients may need a retainer to help maintain early progress while their smile continues to develop. This helps protect the improvements made and guide future growth.
How Phase 1 Retainers Work
Phase 1 retainers hold the teeth and jaw in their corrected positions as permanent teeth continue to come in. They’re typically removable and made for comfort, making them easy for kids to wear as directed.
By maintaining these early results, Phase 1 retainers help set the stage for a smoother Phase 2 treatment if needed later.
Retainer Care Guidelines
Your smile journey doesn’t stop when your braces or aligners come off. To keep your smile straight and healthy, it’s important to wear your retainer as directed and take good care of it each day.
Follow these simple guidelines to help protect your results:
- Wear your retainers as recommended. This will typically be whenever you’re home, unless we tell you otherwise. Remove them when eating, brushing, swimming, or playing contact sports.
- Bring your retainer to checkup appointments so we can make sure it still fits properly.
- Always store your retainer in its case when you’re not wearing it to avoid damage or loss.
- If your retainer feels loose, doesn’t fit, or becomes damaged, contact our office as soon as possible.
- If you lose your retainer, let us know right away. Waiting too long can allow your teeth to shift.
- Clean your retainer daily with a toothbrush and warm, but not hot, water to keep it fresh and free of buildup.
- Practice speaking while wearing your retainer to help your mouth adjust more quickly.
- Keep your retainers away from heat, including hot water, hot cars, and laundry machines, to prevent warping.
- Handle your retainer with care to keep it in good condition throughout your retention phase.
Retainers FAQs
Wondering what life with retainers is like? Here’s what to expect when retaining your smile post-treatment at Feagin Family Orthodontics.