Protecting Orthodontic Progress During the Transition Phase
Once early orthodontic treatment has made positive changes to your child’s smile, it’s crucial to maintain those results until the next phase of care begins. Holding appliances play a key role in the Transition & Retention phase of Phase I Orthodontics at Utah Orthodontic Care.
These appliances are not designed to move teeth but to hold them in their current, corrected positions as your child continues to grow and their remaining permanent teeth erupt. Without them, the progress achieved through early treatment—such as arch expansion or bite correction—can be lost or reversed.
Holding appliances allow your child to wait safely and comfortably before moving on to Phase II Orthodontics, when full braces or Invisalign for Teens may be appropriate.
What Are Holding Appliances?
A holding appliance is a custom-made orthodontic device used to stabilize the position of the teeth or jaw following early treatment. It’s typically bonded or fitted into the mouth and remains in place until the next stage of orthodontic development is ready to begin.
Common types of holding appliances include:
- Lower lingual holding arch – Keeps the lower molars in place to preserve space for incoming permanent teeth
- Transpalatal arch – A bar across the roof of the mouth that stabilizes upper molars
- Removable retainers – Used in some cases where compliance can be trusted
- Fixed retainers – Bonded behind the teeth to ensure consistent positioning
Your child’s specific needs, based on their growth patterns and earlier appliances (like palatal expanders or functional appliances), will determine which type of holding appliance is best.
When Is a Holding Appliance Used?
Holding appliances are used when:
- Early treatment is complete, but permanent teeth have not fully erupted
- There is a pause between Phase I and Phase II orthodontics
- The orthodontic specialist wants to maintain arch width or spacing
- The child is in the Observation Phase after active treatment
They are especially beneficial for children who have had space & growth management therapy and need to retain the gains made during that period.
Benefits of Holding Appliances
While holding appliances don’t move teeth, they provide several essential benefits in orthodontic care:
- Stabilize changes achieved through early intervention
- Prevent relapse before braces or aligners are used
- Preserve space for unerupted permanent teeth
- Allow the jaw to continue growing without losing alignment
- Minimize total treatment time by avoiding regression
Using a holding appliance ensures the work already done in Phase I treatment is not undone by waiting too long for additional correction.
What Our Patients Say About Us
Our customers love our service! Here are some of their glowing reviews:
“This clinic is AWESOME! Everyone is so friendly and the doctor is great! I’m happy with my teeth and you really can’t beat the price! Great services and low pricing! I would recommend everyone to come here! Also they are always doing patient appreciation events that are so fun! Bring your kids, your spouse, your friends, your neighbors, BRING EVERYONE!”
“Great orthodontics! I got my braces at UOC and they’ve been so amazing! First appointment is free, they’ll evaluate your teeth and talk to you about braces option options and prices/ plans.My dental insurance did not cover braces for adults ( I chose not to when I made my plan ) and even if I switched my plan I don’t think it would be a nice affordable plan like UOC offered me with monthly payments … I’m happy with them! They were always nice, friendly and flexible with schedules! Recommend it 100%!”
“I love this office. The doctor is fun with the kids, very friendly and approachable. The staff is typically very easy to work with and any time we have any question or concern they have been quick to make it right with us. We had a billing hiccup and Lauren was incredibly understanding and made the process to fix it easy. As a lower income family with multiple kids needing orthodontic work, this has been a huge weight off my shoulders. I cannot recommend them enough.”
“This clinic is AWESOME! Everyone is so friendly and the doctor is great! I’m happy with my teeth and you really can’t beat the price! Great services and low pricing! I would recommend everyone to come here! Also they are always doing patient appreciation events that are so fun! Bring your kids, your spouse, your friends, your neighbors, BRING EVERYONE!”
“Great orthodontics! I got my braces at UOC and they’ve been so amazing! First appointment is free, they’ll evaluate your teeth and talk to you about braces option options and prices/ plans. My dental insurance did not cover braces for adults ( I chose not to when I made my plan ) and even if I switched my plan I don’t think it would be a nice affordable plan like UOC offered me with monthly payments … I’m happy with them! They were always nice, friendly and flexible with schedules! Recommend it 100%!”
“I love this office. The doctor is fun with the kids, very friendly and approachable. The staff is typically very easy to work with and any time we have any question or concern they have been quick to make it right with us. We had a billing hiccup and Lauren was incredibly understanding and made the process to fix it easy. As a lower income family with multiple kids needing orthodontic work, this has been a huge weight off my shoulders. I cannot recommend them enough.”
Where to Get Holding Appliances in Utah
At Utah Orthodontic Care, we fabricate and fit holding appliances as part of a customized treatment plan. With eight convenient clinics throughout northern Utah, families can access the care they need—right when they need it.
Schedule a consultation for holding appliances at one of our locations:
FAQs About Holding Appliances
Keep Their Smile on Track With a Custom Holding Appliance
Preserve your child’s hard-earned progress and set them up for long-term orthodontic success with a custom holding appliance from Utah Orthodontic Care. Our experienced team will walk you through every step—from fitting to monitoring—so you feel confident about what comes next.
Why choose us:
- Free consultations to evaluate retention needs
- Expert dentists specializing in orthodontics who specialize in pediatric growth tracking
- No-pressure recommendations with family-friendly explanations
- 8 convenient Utah locations across the Wasatch Front
- In-house financing and broad insurance acceptance
Call (801) 999-4431 or schedule your child’s next checkup online today.
