Skip to content
Insta Icon Twitter Icon Google Pinterest Icon
  • 303.292.1780
  • BLOG
  • MAKE A PAYMENT
Complimentary exam
Insta Icon Twitter Icon Google Pinterest Icon
Free Consult
Orthodontists in Denver CO - Desktop logo
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Speaks
    • Meet Our Team
    • Community Involvement
    • Holiday Contest
    • Office Tour
    • Patient Testimonials
  • Treatment
    • Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Braces for Kids
      • Braces for Teens
      • Braces for Adults
      • Braces FAQ
    • Clear Aligners
      • About Clear Aligners
      • Clear Aligners for Kids
      • Clear Aligners for Teens
      • Clear Aligners for Adults
      • Clear Aligner FAQ
    • Orthodontics
      • Types Of Treatments
      • Life With Braces
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Technology
      • Orthodontics FAQ
    • Other Treatments
      • Surgical Orthodontics
      • TADS
      • TMJ/TMD
      • MARPE
      • Expansion
      • Retainers
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Emergency Info
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Information
    • Make A Payment
  • Contact Us
Orthodontists in Denver CO - Desktop logo
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Speaks
    • Meet Our Team
    • Community Involvement
    • Holiday Contest
    • Office Tour
    • Patient Testimonials
  • Treatment
    • Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Braces for Kids
      • Braces for Teens
      • Braces for Adults
      • Braces FAQ
    • Clear Aligners
      • About Clear Aligners
      • Clear Aligners for Kids
      • Clear Aligners for Teens
      • Clear Aligners for Adults
      • Clear Aligner FAQ
    • Orthodontics
      • Types Of Treatments
      • Life With Braces
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Technology
      • Orthodontics FAQ
    • Other Treatments
      • Surgical Orthodontics
      • TADS
      • TMJ/TMD
      • MARPE
      • Expansion
      • Retainers
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Emergency Info
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Information
    • Make A Payment
  • Contact us
  • 720.740.0932
  • Complimentary Exam
Virtual Exam
  • Facebook

Types Of Retainers

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Types Of Retainers

We all know that one day those braces will come off. At that time, your
orthodontist creates your new retainer. The retainer is an important part
of the teeth-straightening process. If you do not wear the retainer prescribed
by your orthodontist, your teeth go back to their earlier placement. Your
teeth will line up exactly as they looked before you got braces. Your
teeth are held in place by periodontal ligaments. It takes a long time
for the periodontal ligaments to adjust when the teeth are straightened.
Therefore, orthodontists create retainers to keep your teeth straight,
in perfect alignment.

Basically, your orthodontist has a choice of three different types of retainers.
As a patient, this is not something you get to choose. The orthodontist
chooses the best retainer for each patient. Some of the retainers are
removable and others are permanently attached. Retainers which are permanently
attached, can only be removed by an orthodontist. The orthodontist creates
the retainer the day your braces are removed. Through the use of plaster
impressions and x-rays, the orthodontist determines which retainer works
best for each patient.

There are three basic types of retainers. The Hawley retainer is the most
common retainer, preferred by many orthodontists. Molded to fit your mouth,
the retainer has a piece of wire used to keep your teeth in perfect alignment.
The acrylic retainer is easily removed. It can easily be altered or customized;
just incase those perfectly aligned teeth start to move out of alignment.
This is the most common retainer, preferred by many orthodontists.

The clear plastic retainer is often the first choice for some patients.
If you grind your teeth, your orthodontist will probably not choose this
retainer. This clear plastic retainer is not as durable as the acrylic
Hawley retainer. However, this clear plastic retainer is often preferred
by many patients. This type of retainer is nearly invisible; so no one
will be able to notice you are wearing a retainer.

The third type of retainer is a bonded or fixed retainer. This type of
metal retainer is permanently bonded to your teeth. However, this retainer
is not visible, as it is placed behind your teeth. This retainer is typically
used on the bottom front teeth. The bottom front teeth commonly move back
to their original position. Those bottom front teeth need a little more
help; that is why we use the fixed retainer.

patient testimonials

Our patients are stoked about their new smiles

CTA Tablet
LaPhonso S.
Loved my experience with Dr. Speaks and their team. All the the staff were super friendly and made me feel like they actually cared when I would go in. Had braces and got them off sooner than I expected and very happy with my results!! Highly recommend Speaks Orthodontics!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, LaPhonso! We're delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team and your satisfaction with the results. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
shareen M.
They have been so amazing with their follow up to all my questions. So much patience!!
Thank you
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Shareen! We're glad to hear that our team has been helpful and patient in addressing your questions. Your satisfaction is our priority!
Wendy A.
Mijn dochter heeft hier haar beugel gekregen. Wat een geweldige orthodontist en team! Iedereen is zo professioneel en vriendelijk. M’n dochter ging altijd met heel veel zin naar de orthodontist. Ze stellen je helemaal gerust en vertellen je precies wat ze gaan doen.
Ook een groot compliment voor de Front Office. Erg professioneel en vriendelijk en zo behulpzaam en geïnteresseerd.
Dank allemaal voor de fijne samenwerking en het fantastische resultaat!
Response from the owner:Hartelijk dank voor uw positieve feedback, Wendy! Het is geweldig om te horen dat uw dochter zo'n goede ervaring heeft gehad met ons team. We waarderen uw complimenten en zijn blij dat wij hebben bijgedragen aan een geweldige samenwerking en resultaat.
Noah L.
Amazing doctor and team! Great overall experience! Dr Speaks led my 2 year plus Invisalign treatment (following a jaw surgery and stints in braces and aligners with east coast orthos) and gave me the best result possible! Affordable, flexible scheduling, and a friendly environment! Shout out to Elliot at the front desk!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Noah! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Speaks and our team. Your satisfaction means a lot to us, and we appreciate your shout out to Elliot as well. We're here to provide the best care and support for our patients!😁
request a complimentary exam

get started
right away

We can’t wait to help you smile it forward!
let’s go!
  • Location
  • 3141 Irving St. #201
    Denver, CO 80211
  • Phone
  • 303.292.1780
  • Office Hours
  • Monday - Thursday / 8:30am - 4:00pm
    Friday / Based on Availability

3141 Irving St. #201
Denver, CO 80211

Quick Links
  • Our Practice
  • Treatment
  • Braces
  • Orthodontics
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact us
  • Our Practice
  • Treatment
  • Braces
  • Orthodontics
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact us
Location
  • 3141 Irving St. #201
    Denver, CO 80211
  • 303.292.1780
complimentary exam
Google
© Copyright 2025 Speaks Orthodontics | Sitemap | Privacy Policy
Marketing & Web Design by HIP Creative