Dental Retainers at Dann Orthodontics in Orlando, FL

Retainers are personalized orthodontic appliances that maintain teeth positioning after corrective treatment or braces. They tend to resemble clear mouthguards or wires glued behind teeth. At Dann Orthodontics, we include retainers to help maintain your straight, new smile. Customized retainers are typically worn for a limited time after braces, designed accordingly. Wearing your retainer as your orthodontist prescribes should help keep your teeth from becoming crooked again.

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Dental Retainers

Dann Orthodontics offers both removable and fixed (bonded) retainers.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are transparent plastic or acrylic trays (sometimes with wire components) that the patient wears over their teeth. They are custom-made for each patient based on the molds or digital scans and then worn all day and night, except during meals. After a few weeks, they are worn only at night. These retainers function like clear mouthguards, keeping teeth in their corrected positions. Patients should remove them before eating or brushing and clean them daily (for example, by brushing or soaking in cleaning solution) to prevent bacteria buildup.

Fixed (Bonded) Retainers

Fixed retainers are thin wires bonded to the back of the front teeth. We use bonded retainers for long-term retention, usually on lower front teeth. This wire holds teeth in place, providing constant support. Our office custom-bends and bonds the wire behind the teeth to ensure alignment. (No removal is needed, but patients should clean around the wire.)

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Uses of Retainers

While their primary role is stabilizing teeth after braces, retainers also serve other purposes. For instance:

1. Speech improvement

Proper tooth alignment is important for clear pronunciation. Retainers can help place the teeth so that they allow correct speech sounds.

2. Jaw and bite issues (TMD)

If the teeth contribute to jaw pain or grinding, a retainer may help align the bite. This can alleviate headaches or jaw pain commonly associated with TMJ issues.

3. Minor tooth movement

A retainer can sometimes be used to move one or a few teeth rather than the entire mouth with full braces.

4. Habit correction

Retainers may also be used to correct habits, such as tongue thrust (when the tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing), which can help guide teeth back to their normal positions.

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Technology & Unique Features

Dann Orthodontics uses advanced technology to design and fit retainers precisely. For instance, the practice employs the iTero intraoral scanner to capture 3D images of a patient's teeth quickly and comfortably. This digital scanner eliminates the need for messy putty impressions – patients have their teeth scanned with a wand, and the iTero system produces a detailed 3D model. Those digital models are then used to plan and fabricate custom retainers. In fact, iTero scans are commonly used for appliances and retainers because of their high accuracy.

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Meet the Expert

Dr. Carl Dann IV, D.D.S., M.S., leads Dann Orthodontics. A Florida native and founder's son, he earned his dental degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994 and a Master's in Orthodontics. Recognized for academic excellence, he received the Senior Award for Excellence in Orthodontics and authored several research papers. He remains active in professional organizations, including the American and Florida Associations of Orthodontists. He teaches part-time at the University of Florida College of Dentistry while leading local study clubs.

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Insurance & Payment

Dann Orthodontics works with many dental insurance plans. At your first appointment, be sure to bring your insurance card. If your coverage changes during treatment, let the office know so the team can adjust payment plans accordingly. Because every insurance policy is different, the staff can estimate your coverage but will review the details to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Our offices accept cash and major credit cards for payment. We work with CareCredit financing and accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Patients paying in full at the start of treatment receive a cash discount. We also offer in-house payment plans and discounts for additional family members receiving treatment.

For any questions about fees, insurance coverage, or financial options, our coordinators are eager to help you.

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Schedule Your Appointment

To schedule an appointment for retainers or any orthodontic service, don't hesitate to contact Dann Orthodontics. You can contact us by phone or schedule an appointment online through our website.