Essix Retainers

Once you finish your orthodontic treatment for braces or Invisalign, you will transition to wearing a retainer. A retainer is a dental appliance that helps keep your newly straightened teeth in their new positions. Without a retainer, the teeth would gradually shift back to their former position, ruining all your hard work to achieve a beautiful smile.

You can choose between three types of retainers: Essix retainers, Hawley retainers, and permanent retainers. Learning more about each one is essential to helping you decide which one you want. So, to get started, let’s look at Essix retainers and why you might want this one.

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Home » Dental Services » Nevada Dental Services » Las Vegas » Retainers » Essix Retainers

What Is An Essix Retainer?

An Essix retainer is a clear retainer, similar to Invisalign and clear aligners. It is custom-made, clear, durable plastic that fits securely over the teeth and helps keep teeth in place.

What Are The Pros Of Essix Retainers?

They help keep teeth in place
It is hard to tell you are wearing a retainer
They are easy to remove to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth
They are less likely to irritate your gums

What Are The Cons Of Essix Retainers?

They have to be replaced annually
The plastic can warp if it is put under hot water
They need to be cleaned daily to remove plaque and bacteria

Schedule an appointment to be fitted for a retainer at Absolute Dental today. (844) 8‑SMILE‑NOW
(844) 876‑4536

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How Do Essix Retainers Compare To Hawley And Permanent Retainers?

Now that you know more about Essix retainers, comparing them to your other options is worthwhile to determine if they are the right choice for you.

What Are Hawley Retainers?

A Hawley retainer is a traditional retainer that has existed for a long time. It is made of a shaped plastic material with metal wires that secure around the teeth to hold them in place. Just like Essix retainers, they are custom-made for each person.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Hawley Retainers?

Pros:

They help keep your teeth in place
They can be easily adjusted when necessary
They are much easier to clean than Essix retainers
They cost less than other types of retainers
They do not need to be replaced as often as Essix retainers

Cons:

They are noticeable, so some people may feel more self-conscious about their appearance when wearing them
They require people to remember to wear them as recommended
They must be handled with care to avoid damaging or breaking the appliance

What Are Permanent Retainers?

A permanent retainer is a thin metal wire bonded to the back side of the teeth to keep them in place. Although they are not actually permanent, your orthodontist can remove them at any time.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Permanent Retainers?

Pros:

Easily hidden behind teeth so they do not affect appearance
No need to remove and clean
Easy to clean with regular brushing
Helps keep teeth in place like other retainers
They last the longest compared to Essix and Hawley retainers

Cons:

Makes flossing teeth more difficult
Have to limit hard and sticky foods as they can get stuck, damage, or break the retainer
It takes extra brushing time to brush around and under the retainer
Potential risk of plaque and tartar buildup around the retainer
It may not be the best choice if you play contact sports

Which Retainer Is Best?

Deciding which retainer is best depends on several factors, including:

Your specific dental needs
Your lifestyle
Your commitment to wearing your retainer and cleaning it
Your personal preferences

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We Accept Most Dental Insurance

Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.

If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!

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Every person’s situation is different. If you don’t see your health insurance here, or if you do not have dental insurance, we can help you!

Call us now to discuss your situation and discover what options are right for you.

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Get Las Vegas Dental Braces And Retainers At Absolute Dental

When you need Las Vegas dental braces and retainers, Absolute Dental provides a wide range of options from traditional to clear braces and Essix, Hawley, and permanent retainers. Our dental office in Las Vegas can also take care of all your dental needs for you and your entire family.

No insurance? No problem. Learn more about our Smile Saver program today.

FAQs

How Do You Clean An Essix Retainer?

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To clean an Essix retainer, remove it from your mouth, rinse it in cold water, and use liquid soap. You also need to clean the inside of the retainer to remove plaque and bacteria using a soft toothbrush. You may also use a “quick” denture cleaner and soak it in the cleaner for five to ten minutes.

Another cleaning option is to use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste on your Essix retainer. However, remember that using toothpaste will cloud the retainer’s clarity.

How Long Do Essix Retainers Last?

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Essix retainers are very durable. With proper care and cleaning, they can last up to 12 months. However, depending on the wear and tear, they may need to be replaced sooner. Generally, you should plan on getting a new Essix retainer yearly.

Sources

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How Does a Retainer Work? (2023).

How to Clean Retainers.

How to Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums: 5 Tips for Optimal Oral Health. (2023).

Types of Retainers

Absolute Dental offers different types of retainers to keep your teeth straight. You can smile confidently knowing your teeth are perfectly aligned after orthodontic treatment with these retainers:

Hawley Retainers

A Hawley retainer is a more traditional type of retainer for teeth. It uses a strong metal wire that goes over the teeth and an anchor plate to hold the retainer in place. Hawley retainers are durable, comfortable, adjustable, and very effective at preventing teeth from shifting. Additionally, they are easy to remove and clean.

Essix Retainers

Unlike a wire retainer, Essix retainers are a type of clear plastic retainer that is molded to fit directly over the teeth. They look similar to Invisalign aligners because they are virtually invisible when worn. However, they do not shift or move teeth like Invisalign. They simply hold your smile’s position to keep the teeth in alignment.

Fixed/Permanent Retainers

Fixed or permanent retainers use bonding material to attach a single wire to your teeth to maintain their position. This option is commonly used as a bottom teeth retainer to hold the front six teeth in place. They’re also a great option for patients with rotated teeth or severe misalignments who need extensive orthodontic treatment to correct their smile.

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Absolute Dental – Rainbow

Address

7320 South Rainbow Boulevard 103
Las Vegas, Nevada 89139
Phone Number: (702) 825-0270

Hours

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Tue: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wed: 8:00am - 5:00pm
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