Braces and Invisalign move your teeth into place. Retainers are what keep them there. At Canton Orthodontics, every patient who finishes treatment in Canton, GA leaves with a retention plan, and we make replacement retainers for patients who finished treatment years ago โ including patients who were treated somewhere else.
Canton Retainer Specialists
Retention is the final phase of orthodontic treatment, and it is the phase that protects everything you invested in. Dr. Farshid Nia and Dr. Ali Azadi, a board-certified orthodontist, design each patient’s retainer around the case that was treated — how far the teeth moved, how they were rotated to begin with, and how likely they are to drift. Our Canton team scans, fits, and adjusts retainers in-office so the fit is right the first time.
Types of Retainers We Provide
There is no single best retainer. The right one depends on your case, your habits, and how visible you want it to be. Options include:
- Clear retainers — Thin, transparent trays scanned from your finished result. Nearly invisible and comfortable for nightly wear.
- Hawley retainers — The durable acrylic-and-wire design. Long lasting, adjustable by your orthodontist, and easy to clean.
- Bonded (fixed) retainers — A thin wire cemented behind the front teeth, most often on the lower arch. Works around the clock with nothing to remember.
- Combination retention — Many patients wear a bonded lower wire plus a clear upper retainer at night.
Not sure which applies to you? Our orthodontists compare all three at your appointment and recommend the option that fits your case and your habits.
How Long Do You Wear a Retainer?
Most patients wear their retainer full time for the first few months after treatment, then switch to nightly wear. Nightly wear continues long term, because teeth keep shifting throughout life as the jaw changes and teeth wear. Patients who taper off completely are the ones who notice crowding returning years later.
If your retainer suddenly feels tight, that is your signal that teeth have started to move. Wear it consistently and call us โ never force a retainer that does not seat.
Replacement Retainers in Canton, GA
Lost retainers, cracked trays, and loose bonded wires are all common, and all fixable — as long as you act quickly. Teeth can shift noticeably within a month of stopping retention. We can scan you digitally and produce a replacement, and if you still have an older retainer that seats without pain, wear it until your appointment.
You do not need to be a current patient. If you finished treatment with another practice, bring your old retainer if you have it and we will evaluate whether a straight replacement will fit or whether minor re-alignment is needed first. Either way, you get a clear answer and a price before anything is made.
Caring for Your Retainer
- Rinse it every time it comes out, and brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water.
- Never use hot water, boiling water, or a dishwasher — heat permanently warps clear retainers.
- Always use the case. Retainers wrapped in a napkin get thrown away.
- Keep it away from pets.
- Bring it to your dental cleanings so we can check the fit.
What Retainers Cost
Your first set of retainers is typically included in your orthodontic treatment fee — worth confirming any time you compare quotes, because a fee that excludes retention is not really a lower total. Replacements are quoted individually, and we will tell you the cost before we make one. See our financial information for insurance and payment details.
Why Choose Canton Orthodontics?
Families in Canton choose us for straightforward care and a team that stays with them after the braces come off:
- Specialist care — Treatment planned and monitored by our orthodontists, including a board-certified orthodontist
- Digital scanning — iTero scanning for accurate, impression-free retainers
- Two convenient offices — Canton and Roswell with the same doctors, so rescheduling is easy
- Free consultations — Including for patients treated elsewhere who need retention advice
- Long-term follow-through — We would rather check your retainer than re-treat your smile
Finishing treatment soon, or already noticing your teeth shifting? Contact our Canton office at (470) 444-6872 to schedule. We are located at 150 Prominence Point Pkwy #300, Canton, GA 30114, and we also see patients for retainers in Roswell, GA.
