Dental Retainers in Manhattan, NYC
Maintain your beautifully aligned smile with retainers. Schedule your consultation today to ensure long-lasting results and lasting confidence!
You finally have the straight teeth you’ve always dreamed of, but what now? You’ve invested your time and money into achieving your ideal smile, and it’s time to focus on maintaining your results for years to come.
Whether you have braces or clear aligners, a dental retainer is key to keeping your teeth from shifting back and undoing all of your hard work. Understanding the types of dental aligners available, when you should wear them, and the best ways to care for them can make a world of difference in protecting your smile and maintaining your straight teeth for the remainder of your life.
At SmileWorks, we know that a straight smile is an investment worth protecting. That’s why we offer high-quality, custom retainers to help keep your teeth aligned long after braces or Invisalign. We use advanced technology and a personalized approach to ensure your retainer fits comfortably and lasts. With the right care and guidance, maintaining your perfect smile has never been easier.
What are Dental Retainers?
Dental retainers are custom-made appliances designed to keep your teeth in proper alignment after orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners.
At SmileWorks, we offer both fixed and removable retainers based on your unique dental and lifestyle needs.
Simply put, while braces and aligners straighten your teeth, retainers help maintain those results for a lasting, confident smile. Schedule a consultation to find the right retainer for you!
Keep your smile beautifully aligned with custom-made dental retainers—designed to preserve your perfect results and long-term confidence!
Types of Dental Retainers We Offer
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainer is made of acrylic for the inner surface of the teeth and of wires for the outer surface of the teeth. Therefore, it is stronger than the clear retainer and is adjustable if mild tooth movement occurs.
In our office, it is only used for young patients in mixed dentition after phase I orthodontic treatment
Essix Retainer (clear)
Clear retainer covers every tooth precisely and is our preferred way of retention for patients.
For patients with grinding habit, we recommended getting a night guard on upper teeth and a regular clear retainer for the lower teeth, to prevent any damage to their teeth as well as their retainers.
Fixed Retainer (Front Teeth Only)
Fixed retainer may be used in the upper and lower front teeth. It is beneficial for patients who started with a lot of irregularity in the region.
Meet Dr. Jin Sup Shin and Our Expert Team
Trust your retainer care to award-winning orthodontist Dr. Jin Sup Shin, renowned for maintaining beautifully aligned smiles. Her expertise in advanced orthodontic techniques ensures your retainer is tailored to your unique bite and facial structure, preserving the results of your orthodontic treatment. As an adjunct assistant clinical professor at NYU and a member of the National Dental Honors Society, Dr. Shin stays at the forefront of orthodontic technology and post-treatment care innovations.
At our modern Midtown East office, we understand that maintaining your smile requires a personalized approach. Dr. Shin carefully evaluates your bite and alignment needs to design a custom retainer that keeps your teeth in their ideal position while ensuring long-term comfort. Using state-of-the-art 3D imaging and the latest materials, our team provides high-quality retainers that fit seamlessly, helping you maintain a straight, confident smile for years to come.
Keep your smile beautifully aligned with custom-made dental retainers—designed to preserve your perfect results and long-term confidence!
How Should I Care for My Dental Retainer?
Taking steps to care for your retainer can help extend its life and keep your teeth healthy. Here are some key steps you should consider to help care for your retainer and ensure it remains effective and lasts for years:
- Take your retainer out to eat and drink
- If you have a fixed retainer, consider buying a floss threader to help make flossing easier
- Always store your retainer in its case when not in use
- Gently brush your retainer daily to prevent bacteria growth
- Soak your retainer in a retainer-cleaning solution weekly
- Avoid using harmful chemicals like alcohol or bleach on your retainer
- Don’t leave your retainer in a hot place like a car
- Be gentle when inserting and removing your retainer
- Always brush and floss your teeth before putting your retainer on
- Speak to your orthodontist if you have any concerns or issues with your retainer
- Avoid hard or sticky foods if you have a fixed retainer
At SmileWorks, we will provide you with specific instructions on the best care practices for your retainer. If you lose your retainer or it breaks, contact us as soon as possible to get a replacement to ensure your teeth stay straight and don’t have the chance to start shifting out of alignment.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Retainers?
Dental retainers provide numerous essential benefits for maintaining oral health and preserving orthodontic treatment results. Here are the key advantages:
Maintain Your Perfect Smile
Retainers are essential for maintaining the alignment achieved through orthodontic treatment. They work by holding teeth in their new positions while allowing bone tissue to rebuild and stabilize around them. This prevents teeth from shifting back to their original positions, protecting your investment in orthodontic treatment and ensuring your smile stays straight and beautiful.
Enhanced Oral Health
Regular use of retainers promotes better oral health by keeping teeth properly aligned, making them easier to clean and maintain. When teeth are correctly positioned, there are fewer hard-to-reach areas where bacteria can accumulate. This reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems, contributing to better overall oral hygiene and health.
Comfort & Functionality
Beyond maintaining alignment, retainers can provide functional benefits for your oral health. They can help improve breathing patterns, enhance speech clarity, and prevent harmful habits like teeth grinding. For many users, retainers also help reduce jaw pain and discomfort by maintaining proper bite alignment and supporting correct tongue positioning.
Long-Term Investment
The long-term benefits of wearing retainers make them a wise investment in your dental health. By preventing teeth from shifting, you avoid the need for future orthodontic treatment, saving both time and money. Retainers help maintain facial symmetry, preserve your confident smile, and provide lifetime protection for your orthodontic investment when used as directed by your dental professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Full-time for 4-6 months, then nightly wear indefinitely. This schedule ensures your teeth remain in their new positions while allowing bone tissue to stabilize around them. Consistent wear is crucial for maintaining your orthodontic results.
Three types: fixed, clear removable, and Hawley retainers. Fixed retainers are bonded behind your teeth, clear removable retainers fit like invisible aligners, and Hawley retainers combine wire and acrylic for durability.
Your teeth will shift back to their original positions. This movement can begin within days of not wearing your retainer and may eventually undo all your orthodontic treatment results.
Brush daily with mild soap and lukewarm water. Additional care includes weekly soaking in a cleaning solution and avoiding hot water that could warp the material. Never use toothpaste as it’s too abrasive.
Yes, they improve breathing, speech, and grinding habits. Retainers can also help with jaw alignment, reduce snoring, and prevent future dental problems by maintaining proper tooth positioning.
Always in its protective case when not in use. Keep away from heat sources, pets, and never wrap in napkins – this prevents damage, loss, and maintains hygiene.
Keep Your Smile Straight With a Custom Retainer From SmileWorks
At SmileWorks, maintaining your perfect smile should be simple and stress-free. That’s why we provide high-quality, custom-fit retainers designed to keep your teeth aligned for years to come. Whether you need a new retainer, a replacement, or expert guidance on the best option for your lifestyle, our experienced team in Midtown East, Manhattan, is here to help. With advanced dental technology and a patient-focused approach, we ensure your retainer fits comfortably and lasts so you can confidently enjoy your straight smile.
Don’t let your teeth shift after all your hard work. Protect your smile with a custom retainer from SmileWorks. Investing in a high-quality retainer now can save you from future orthodontic treatment. Call us today at (646) 722-1177 or schedule your free consultation through our contact form.
Visit Us
We’re conveniently located in Midtown East, Manhattan. Find us on the 8th floor of the Grand Central Professional Building. Plenty of nearby parking and public transportation options are available.
- 30 Central Park South Suite #11D New York, NY 10019
- 646-722-1177
- Tues-Fri 9am-6:30pm 1st, 3rd Saturdays 9am-2pm
