Retainers

Protect your smile for years to come

Congratulations, you’ve reached a huge milestone in your orthodontic journey! Finishing treatment is something to celebrate, but it’s also the beginning of the next important phase: retention.

At Johnsonlink Orthodontics, retainers are the final, and most important step in keeping your smile looking its best. After your braces or aligners come off, your retainer helps maintain your teeth in their new, beautifully aligned position. From this point on, maintaining your smile is in your hands. Teeth naturally have a tendency to shift over time, but wearing your retainer as instructed protects the time and investment you’ve made in your treatment. Think of your retainer as insurance for your smile, helping you keep your results looking just as beautiful for years to come.

Why Retainers Matter

Retention isn’t a short-term step, it’s a long-term commitment. Your teeth have memory, meaning they can slowly move back toward their original positions after treatment. We’ll guide you on exactly how to wear and care for your retainers so you feel confident every step of the way.

Retainers help:

Maintain your alignment

Upper clear retainer:

worn every night

Protect your smile

Prevent the need for future treatment

Consistency is key! Wearing your retainer is what keeps your results lasting.

A fixed, or lingual, retainer is a thin braided wire bonded to the back of your front teeth to hold them in place continuously. Because it stays in place, it works around the clock to maintain alignment without needing to remember to wear it.

Lower removable retainer:

worn 22 hours/day for the first 6 months (remove only to eat and brush), then may transition to nighttime wear

Types of Retainers

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are custom-made, mainly transparent trays designed to fit snugly over your teeth and help maintain your orthodontic results after treatment. They are comfortable, discreet, and removable, allowing you to easily take them out for eating, brushing, and cleaning. With proper care, they are a convenient and popular option for long-term retention.

Clean your retainers daily

Fixed Retainers

Invisalign® Vivera™ Retainers

For patients who have completed Invisalign treatment, we offer Invisalign® Vivera™ retainers. Made from Invisalign’s premium SmartTrack™ material, Vivera retainers are stronger and more durable than standard clear retainers. They are designed specifically for long-term wear, helping maintain your results while remaining clear, comfortable, and easy to clean. With proper care, a single set can last for years, making them a reliable option for protecting your smile.