Orthodontic Retainers for Children and Teens in Apex
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Retainers help preserve tooth alignment after braces or clear-aligner treatment. Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides removable and fixed retention options based on each patient’s final tooth positions, dental development, oral hygiene, and risk of unwanted movement.
What Are Retainers?
Retainers are customized orthodontic appliances that help hold teeth in their corrected positions. They are worn after active treatment because the tissues surrounding the teeth need time to reorganize, and teeth can continue shifting throughout life.
Depending on the patient’s needs, retention may involve a clear removable retainer, a Hawley-style appliance, a fixed wire bonded behind the teeth, or a combination of appliances.
Benefits of Retainers
Protect Treatment Results
Consistent retainer wear helps preserve the alignment achieved through braces or clear aligners.
Support Long-Term Stability
Retainers provide support while the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth adjust to their new positions.
Provide Customized Options
development, and ability to manage a removable appliance.
Did You Know…
Retainer wear is often a long-term part of orthodontic care. The prescribed schedule may become less frequent over time, but completely discontinuing wear can allow teeth to shift even years after treatment.
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Why Choose Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics?
The Retainer Process
1
Final Records
Digital scans or impressions are taken after active treatment to record the corrected tooth positions and create a customized retainer.
2
Appliance Delivery
The team checks the fit and provides instructions for wearing, cleaning, storing, and protecting the retainer.
3
Retention Checks
Follow-up appointments help identify wear, damage, fit changes, broken bonding, or unwanted tooth movement before the problem progresses.
“Finishing braces or aligner treatment is an important milestone, but retention protects the progress that has been made. Our team helps children, teens, and parents understand the wear schedule and how to care for the appliance at home.”
Dr. Michael Kim
Read Verified Reviews From Apex Parents
“My kids have been going to this practice since they were toddlers, and having one doctor who understands their complete dental history and growth patterns has made such a difference. Dr. Kim treats them like they’re his own children and recommends only what’s truly necessary. The convenience of having both their regular checkups and orthodontics in one place has been a game-changer for our family.”
“What impressed me most was how honest the doctor is about treatment recommendations. He explained exactly why each step was needed and never pushed unnecessary procedures. Having someone I trust completely managing both my kids’ dental and orthodontic care gives me peace of mind. The staff is incredibly kind and patient with nervous children.”
“We switched practices specifically because we wanted someone who could handle both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof. The continuity of care is amazing, and our kids actually look forward to their appointments. The whole team treats every patient like family, and the clinical expertise is evident in every interaction.”
Research-Reported Outcomes for Orthodontic Retainers
Patients Planning Long-Term Retainer Wear After Education
96.4%
Tube-Type Fixed Retainers Remaining in Service
93.7%
Ortho FlexTech Retainers Surviving Two Years
90%
BlueElgiloy Retainers Surviving Two Years
90%
Conventionally Bonded Sites Avoiding First-Time Failure
88.6%
Vacuum-Formed Lower Retainers Surviving One Year
80%
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| Retainer Outcome | Percentage | What the Research Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Intended long-term wear after education | 96.4% | After receiving video-based retention education, 96.4% of 278 orthodontic patients reported that they intended to wear their retainers long term. |
| Tube-type fixed-retainer survival | 93.7% | A randomized clinical trial reported that 30 of 32 evaluated tube-type mandibular retainers remained free from failure during the study period. |
| Ortho FlexTech fixed-retainer survival | More than 90% | In a randomized trial of 300 adolescents ages 14 to 18, estimated two-year survival exceeded 90% for directly bonded Ortho FlexTech mandibular retainers. |
| BlueElgiloy fixed-retainer survival | More than 90% | The same adolescent trial reported estimated two-year survival above 90% for the evaluated directly bonded BlueElgiloy retainers. |
| Conventionally bonded sites avoiding failure | 88.6% | The overall first-time failure risk was 11.4% in a split-mouth randomized trial, meaning 88.6% of the evaluated observations avoided a first failure during 12 months. |
| Vacuum-formed lower-retainer survival | 80% | A randomized trial found that 80% of the evaluated mandibular vacuum-formed retainers remained in service after 12 months. |
Sources: Bharmal RV et al., “A Multicentre Audit to Assess the Effectiveness of the British Orthodontic Society ‘Hold That Smile’ Retainer Videos,” Journal of Orthodontics, 2020; Lee KC et al., “Survival Rates of Mandibular Fixed Retainers: Comparison of a Tube-Type Retainer and Conventional Multistrand Retainers,” Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, 2024; Johal A, Daly K, and Murray D, “A Comparison of Survival Rates Using 3 Methods of Mandibular Fixed Retainer Fabrication,” American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2025; Laspos C et al., “Survival of Conventionally Bonded Mandibular Retainers With or Without Enamel Sandblasting,” European Journal of Orthodontics, 2023; Forde K et al., “Bonded Versus Vacuum-Formed Retainers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Part 1,” European Journal of Orthodontics, 2018; American Association of Orthodontists, “Retainers”
Six Key Findings About Retainers
Retainers are needed after braces and aligners. Teeth can move after either form of active orthodontic treatment.
Wear instructions are individualized. Some patients begin with full-time removable-retainer wear before transitioning to nighttime use.
Fixed retainers still require monitoring. Bonding material or wire can loosen even when the appliance appears to remain in place.
Cleaning protects oral health. Removable appliances should be cleaned as instructed, while fixed wires require careful brushing and interdental cleaning.
Heat can damage removable retainers. Hot water, dishwashers, and heated environments may distort thermoplastic appliances.
Fit changes deserve prompt attention. A tight, loose, cracked, lost, or detached retainer should be evaluated before substantial tooth movement occurs.
Schedule a Retainer Appointment in Apex
Families can contact Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for retainer delivery, replacement, fixed-retainer evaluation, or concerns about unwanted tooth movement. Prompt care may help protect the results achieved through braces or clear-aligner treatment.
Questions Apex Families Ask About Retainers
Why does my child need a retainer?
A retainer helps hold the teeth in their corrected positions after active orthodontic treatment. Without retention, natural forces from the surrounding tissues, bite, growth, and everyday function can contribute to renewed tooth movement.
How long will my child need to wear a retainer?
The schedule depends on the completed treatment and the type of retainer. Many patients initially wear a removable retainer more frequently before transitioning to nighttime wear. Long-term wear is commonly recommended because teeth can continue shifting throughout life.
What is the difference between fixed and removable retainers?
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind selected teeth and provides continuous support. A removable retainer can be taken out for eating and cleaning but must be worn consistently according to the prescribed schedule.
What should happen if the retainer no longer fits?
Families should contact the practice instead of forcing the appliance into place. A poor fit may indicate that the retainer has become distorted, the child’s mouth has changed, or the teeth have started moving.
How should a removable retainer be cleaned?
The appliance should be rinsed with cool or lukewarm water and cleaned using the method recommended by the dental team. Hot water should be avoided because it can distort some retainer materials. The appliance should be stored in its case when it is not being worn.
When does a retainer need to be replaced?
Replacement may be necessary when a retainer is lost, cracked, distorted, excessively worn, or unable to fit correctly. Fixed retainers should be evaluated if the wire becomes loose, breaks, or separates from a tooth.