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Retainers

The final step in your smile journey

Once your braces come off or you’ve finished clear aligner treatment, it’s time to protect that brand new smile! This is where retainers come in.

Retainers are thin, clear plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth. In some cases, your orthodontist might also recommend a small metal wire, called a fixed retainer, which is discreetly glued to the back of a few front teeth. You won’t see it when you smile, but it quietly does its job day in and day out!

Why are retainers so important?

Retainers are important because teeth like to move – even after orthodontic treatment. Without a retainer, there’s a real chance your teeth could slowly shift back to where they started. That’s why wearing your retainer is just as important as wearing your braces or aligners.

Retention is a lifelong part of your orthodontic journey, but it doesn’t mean wearing a retainer all day every day. Over time, most people switch to wearing it just at night. Think of it as a little nightly routine that helps protect the smile you worked so hard for.

Dr Darren Owens will guide you on exactly how long to wear your retainer and when it’s okay to reduce wear time, but sticking to the plan makes all the difference.

The Bunbury Orthodontics Difference

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Professional Team
Expert care delivered by a friendly and experienced team.
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Treatment
We provide a tailored treatment plan to suit your needs.
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Access our services directly - no dentist referral necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Braces and aligners apply gentle pressure to the teeth to help shift them into the correct position. This movement can sometimes cause mild tenderness around the teeth. Any discomfort is typically minor and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief if needed.

The cost of treatment depends on the complexity of your case and the type of appliances needed. After a consultation with our Orthodontist, we’ll provide a detailed treatment plan, including item codes you can submit to your private health fund. We’re committed to transparency and offer flexible, interest-free payment plans to suit your budget.
If you’re feeling self-conscious about your smile or finding it hard to chew or clean your teeth properly, orthodontic treatment may help improve these issues. There’s absolutely no pressure to start treatment—the choice is always yours. At your first consultation, we’ll walk you through all the options available so you can decide what’s best for you.
The best time to start orthodontic treatment depends on the type of misalignment. For most people, the ideal time is during the adolescent growth spurt. In some cases, it’s better to wait until growth has finished, while in others, starting earlier may lead to the best results. After a consultation, we can give you personalised advice based on what’s right for you.
No, plenty of adults decide to get orthodontic treatment to improve their smile.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has undertaken an additional three years of specialized training in orthodontics beyond their general dental education. This advanced training equips them with expert knowledge in the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of tooth and jaw alignment issues.
Absolutely—we encourage everyone to research their options to ensure they select the treatment that’s right for them.