Retainers in NW Calgary: Replacements, Repairs and Permanent Retainers
A retainer keeps your teeth where your braces or aligners put them. Smile Elements Orthodontics makes, replaces and repairs retainers, including for people whose treatment was done somewhere else.
- No referral needed
- Digital 3D scans, no messy impressions
- Certified specialist in orthodontics
Why teeth move after treatment
When braces or aligners come off, the gum and bone around your teeth are still settling, and the fibres that hold each tooth tend to pull it back toward where it started. Teeth also keep shifting slowly throughout life. A retainer holds them in place while they settle, and for the long term.
Types of retainers
Clear removable retainers
Thin, clear plastic trays made from a scan of your teeth, sometimes called Essix retainers. They’re hard to see and are usually worn at night.
Fixed (permanent) retainers
A thin wire bonded behind your front teeth. It works all day without you having to remember it, but it needs careful cleaning and regular checks.
Hawley retainers
A removable retainer with a wire across the front teeth and an acrylic plate. It can be adjusted, which is useful in some cases.
Which type suits you depends on your bite, how your teeth were moved and your habits. Some people have a fixed retainer and a removable one.
Lost, broken or no longer fits?
Call us as soon as you can. We check your teeth and bite and take a digital 3D scan, and a new retainer is made from it. If your teeth have already moved, a new retainer alone may not move them back. In that case we explain your options, which can include a short course of treatment to correct the shift before a new retainer is made.
Looking after your retainer
- Rinse it and brush it gently with cool water. Hot water can warp plastic.
- Keep it in its case when it’s not in your mouth. Most lost retainers are wrapped in a napkin.
- Keep it away from pets, who love to chew them.
- Bring it to your check-ups so we can see that it still fits.
More tips: how to clean your retainer.
Common questions
Can you replace a retainer if my braces or aligners were done somewhere else?
Yes. You don’t need to have been treated here, and you don’t need a referral. We check your teeth and bite, take a digital scan and make a retainer that fits your teeth as they are now.
My retainer doesn’t fit anymore. What should I do?
Call us soon. A retainer that no longer fits usually means your teeth have started to move, and the longer it’s left, the more they can shift. If they’ve moved, a new retainer alone may not bring them back, so we check first and tell you your options.
Is a permanent retainer really permanent?
A fixed (bonded) retainer stays in place until it’s removed, but it can come loose or break over time. If yours feels loose or rough, call us so it can be checked and repaired before your teeth move.
How long do I need to wear my retainer?
Usually full-time at first, then at night. Teeth can keep shifting throughout life, so most people are advised to keep wearing a retainer at night for as long as they want their teeth to stay straight. Follow the schedule your orthodontist gives you.
How much does a retainer cost?
It depends on the type of retainer and whether your teeth need any correction first. You receive the fee before anything is made.
Book or visit
#250, 15 Royal Vista Place NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0P3, close to Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge.
Hours: Monday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm; Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm; Thursday and Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Related: Orthodontist in NW Calgary · Second opinion on aligner treatment · Fees and payment