Dental Retainers

Burlingame Smile Studio in Burlingame is thrilled to welcome patients visiting from San Bruno, Hillsborough, and Millbrae.

What Are Dental Retainers?

Retainers are small dental appliances that are designed to hold your teeth in their proper places after your braces treatment. There are different retainer options, including Hawley retainers, clear aligners, and permanent retainers. They can be removable or fixed, depending on your specific needs.

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Will I Need Dental Retainers After Orthodontic Treatment?

After your active treatment with braces, you move on to the next step: retention. You will get to enjoy your beautiful and straight smile every day during the retention phase, but you will need to take action to keep your results in place!

Retainers hold your teeth in their new positions and allow your bones, gums, and muscles to adapt. Follow Dr. Lee’s instructions for wearing your retainer. Otherwise, your teeth may move back toward their original positions, and all of your hard work with braces will be undone!

You will wear a retainer day and night for the time advised by Dr. Lee. Time varies for each patient. After your initial months with a retainer, you can begin wearing them only at night. For some patients, a subtle permanent retainer may be necessary after braces.

The retention period is critical to maintaining your great results, and should not be neglected!

Wearing Your Retainers

During the beginning of the retention phase of treatment, you must wear your appliance day and night. You can remove your retainers briefly for eating, cleaning your teeth, or participating in sports activities

There is a short adjustment period with retainers. They may make your teeth sore for a day or two, but Dr. Lee will guide you through the adjustment period and help you remain as comfortable as possible. Within two to three days, you should regain your comfort and your regular speech.

As you continue to wear your retainers, they will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. When this happens, simply call our office and we’ll be happy to provide you with your new retainers!

If you have any questions or concerns, contact our office so that we can offer advice or bring you in for an appointment.

Testimonials

“I had a great experience working with Dr Lee. I started the process last year and in about 10 months I was ready to move to the retainers, the change has been impressive and I’m really satisfied.”

Denise C.

“Came to see Dr. Lee for a set of new retainers but decided to get Invisalign instead. One of the best decisions made! Thanks to Dr. Lee, I’m really happy with my teeth and my smile :)”

“Dr. Lee and the entire staff at Burlingame Smile Studio are AWESOME!!! My son just completed his two years of braces done and maintained by them. Always very nice, very helpful, understanding, caring environment.”

“Dr. Lee rocks! Being an adult with braces, I’m sure I am a little more demanding and inquisitive than the average child patient she sees. But, she always happily puts up with all of my many questions and requests.”

C. G.

“I very much enjoyed my experience at Burlingame Smile Studio with Dr. Lee and her staff. All of them are so professional and friendly throughout my braces journey. My case was quite severely as an adult, and they were still able to help me along the way.”

I-Chieh W.

“Loved working with them. Attentive and caring, skilled group of people. I got to them as a second opinion after I was told I needed actual braces (train tracks) to fix my adult ortho problems (medical necessity, not just cosmetic) the team at Smile Studios said it was totally possible without that and they were right, now 2 years later I have a beautiful result!”

Suzanna J.

“My experience with Dr. April Lee and staff has been fantastic. The staff are so friendly, efficient, and our appointments have always been on time. Dr. Lee has been fantastic. My daughters smile is perfect and she is thrilled with the results.”

Sinead M.

“Dr. Lee was a delight to work with for my daughter’s phase I orthodontic treatment. She gave us the option of traditional braces or Invisalign at the same cost (which I think is an uncommon practice); this which allowed us to make the best choice for our daughter’s needs.”

Poojah S.

“Burlingame Smile Studio has literally been the best orthodontic office ever(I’ve visited a few)!! Getting braces was something that I always dreaded, especially getting braces as an adult. Dr. Lee and the whole staff at Burlingame Smile Studio have made this journey so easy that I can’t even believe I’ve already hit my 1 year mark.”

Joseph R.

“If you are looking for an orthodontist, Dr. Lee is your best option! Dr. Lee and her entire staff are professional, kind, friendly, and responsible. Whenever my sons have troubles with his braces, we would get treatment or response within the appropriate time frame. Appointments always run on time. The office is super clean. Best orthodontist ever!!!!”

Mandy L.

“Great friendly staff, very professional team, and the office is bright & beautiful and always spotless! Dr. Lee and her staff are amazing with the kids. The treatment / braces for my kids were a great experience overall…Having Teddy around is a big plus!😊💗”

Mary Anne B

Caring for Your Retainers

• Clean your retainers: After meals, you should clean all parts of your retainer with a toothbrush before placing it back into your mouth. Use non-abrasive toothpaste for daily cleanings, and use denture cleaner on occasion for a more thorough cleaning. Remember to floss and brush your teeth frequently as well.
• Handle with care: Retainers are easy to lose, so have a reliable system for keeping track of your retainers. Never put them in a napkin or tissue, because they might be thrown away. Bring your retainer case with you everywhere you go and create a habit of brushing and replacing your retainers after meals.
• Be mindful of your appliance: Don’t put your retainers in your pocket while playing or working, as you may break or lose them. Keep the appliance away from children or pets who may break or lose them. Do not store your retainers near any source of heat, and never boil them.

Learn More About Teeth Retainers - Contact Burlingame Smile Studio Today!

We want you to enjoy your beautiful results for years to come. To learn more about the proper use and maintenance of a retainer after braces or to schedule an appointment with our caring team, call, text, or email Burlingame Smile Studio today!