Wearing braces means a long-term commitment to a smile-straightening treatment, which costs both time and money. After your braces are removed, you have a beautiful smile. But you are not there yet. There is still the risk of your teeth shifting back, which means you may need some additional treatment to keep your teeth straightened for life. That is where you can consider wearing a Hawley retailer.

A Hawley retainer keeps your teeth in their new positions. You can remove these retainers when the jawbone surrounds your teeth to make the new alignment permanent. Since it is the final step in orthodontic treatment, you have to practice patience.

Elements of a Hawley retainer

This post-braces orthodontic appliance consists of metal and plastic, custom-molded to fit your new teeth alignment. The wires on this retainer sit on your front teeth while loops on your canines. These elements keep your teeth in place. Since it is a more delicate appliance than braces, wearing it carefully is a must. You don’t want the plastic or wire structure to get damaged when wearing or removing the appliance. After consistent use for a few months, your dentist will ask you to reduce its wear time. However, you will have to wear it for almost the entire time at the onset.

Caring for your Hawley retainer

Due to the delicate structure and relatively higher costs, Hawley retainers need special care. While you may fix minor problems with traditional retainers without affecting their quality that much, Hawley retainers are more complicated appliances. Even a minor fix will take weeks. That will prove detrimental to the reason you wear retainers.

Here is how you can care for your Hawley retainers.

• Clean these retainers to remove food particles and bacteria.
• Be watchful when using hot water to clean these retainers.
• Keep them away from high temperatures.
• Store them in a secure custom container when not wearing.

Cleaning your Hawley retainer

Plaque and tartar can build up on your retainer just as they would on your teeth. That is why it is crucial to clean your Hawley retainer regularly. The cleaning process has to be diligent and precise. Here are a few things you have to do when cleaning your retainer.

• Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use it gently while cleaning. You can also use toothpaste.
• Soak the retainer in a cleaning agent to kill harmful germs.
• Ask your orthodontist regarding how to clean your Hawley retainer. You may get some specific instructions.

No matter what your age is, you can benefit from a Hawley retainer after the removal of your braces. If you want to get these retainers to your child, be sure to teach him or her how to take care of them. Since children tend to be careless during their day-to-day routines, it is crucial to remind them of the importance of these retainers.

The good news is that you do not have to wear these retainers forever. Once your teeth are properly set in place, your dentist will ask you to engage in the retainer removal process, which can be a bit gradual.