Retainers in Utah
Preserve Your Smile with Orthodontic Retainers
Your braces or aligners may be off, but your orthodontic journey isn’t quite over. The final—and critical—phase of treatment is retention. At Utah Orthodontic Care, we provide custom orthodontic retainers to ensure your teeth stay aligned after treatment.
Retainers are essential to maintaining the results you’ve worked hard to achieve. Without them, your teeth can begin to drift back to their original positions—a process called relapse. That’s why wearing a retainer as instructed is one of the most important parts of any orthodontic treatment plan.
Why Retainers Are Necessary
When orthodontic appliances like braces or Invisalign align your teeth, they do more than just shift what’s visible. The roots of your teeth are moving through the bone, and it takes time for that bone to stabilize around their new position. Retainers hold your teeth in place while the surrounding bone and tissue heal and adapt.
Skipping your retainer—or wearing it inconsistently—can undo months or even years of progress. In some cases, patients may need to restart treatment due to preventable relapse.
Types of Retainers We Offer
Utah Orthodontic Care provides multiple retainer options depending on your treatment needs, bite structure, and lifestyle. During your final orthodontic appointments, our team will walk you through the best choice for your smile.
1. Hawley Retainers
- Made of acrylic and a durable metal wire
- Custom-molded to fit your mouth
- Removable and easy to clean
- Can be adjusted over time for a tighter fit
2. Clear Plastic Retainers (Essix)
- Made from a thin, transparent plastic
- Virtually invisible when worn
- Comfortable and easy to wear daily
- Removable for eating and oral hygiene
3. Fixed (Bonded) Retainers
- Cemented to the back of the front teeth
- Ideal for patients prone to relapse
- Worn long-term or permanently
- Require careful cleaning and flossing
We also provide retainer care instructions to help you maintain your appliance and avoid unnecessary replacements.
How Long Do I Need to Wear My Retainer?
Retention timeframes vary from patient to patient, but here are common guidelines:
- Full-time wear for the first few months after treatment
- Nighttime wear indefinitely after that, unless otherwise instructed
- Permanent retainers may stay in place for years or even a lifetime
Your orthodontic specialist will review your progress at your follow-up visits and adjust your retention plan as needed. If you notice your retainer feels tight after skipping wear, it’s a sign that your teeth are already beginning to shift.
How to Care for Your Retainer
Proper care can extend the life of your retainer and keep your smile looking great. Here are a few key tips:
- Always store your retainer in its case when not in use
- Clean it daily using gentle soap and water (not toothpaste)
- Avoid heat—don’t leave it in a hot car or rinse with boiling water
- Keep it away from pets—they love to chew on them
- Call us immediately if it’s lost or damaged
Retainers are an investment in your long-term results. Replacing one can be costly, so follow your orthodontic specialist’s instructions and take good care of your appliance.
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 Retainers in Utah
If you’ve recently finished treatment or need a replacement retainer, Utah Orthodontic Care has you covered. We serve patients throughout the Wasatch Front with 8 convenient locations:
FAQs About Orthodontic Retainers
Book Your Free Consultation for Retainers in Utah
Whether you’ve just finished braces or Invisalign treatment—or need a replacement retainer after years of use—Utah Orthodontic Care is here to help.
We make orthodontic care affordable with:
- Free initial consultations
- In-house financing with no interest
- Medicaid and most insurance accepted
- Supportive, bilingual staff at every office
Call (801) 999-4431 or schedule a free consultation online to speak with our team about retainers today.
