Welcome to the ultimate guide on Hawley retainer. Hawley retainers are the most popular choice of the post orthodontic teeth alignment.
But can anyone get the Hawley retainers? In this article, we will explore each and everything about the Hawley retainers. Let’s start.
What are Hawley Retainers?
Hawley retainers are removable orthodontic appliances that are made up of stainless steel wire with acrylic material. These act like a fixer after any orthodontic treatment.
The wire that comes from the retainers is attached to the front teeth and the acrylic part is located on the roof of the mouth. Then it is fixed with the help of two wires at the back of the retainer that help it to stay in the mouth.
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Components of the Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers consist of three main components.
Acrylic plate: Acrylic plate acts like a custom-made to fit the shape of the roof of the mouth or the lower teeth. It provides the stability and support to retainers.
Wire component: the shape of the wire is according to the arch of the teeth that wraps around the front teeth. It applies a little pressure to maintain the alignment.
Clasp: clasps are the small extensions of the wire to hold the retainer in place by holding the teeth firmly.
Benefits of Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainer is flexible more than any other standard post-orthodontic device. Hawley retainer is known due to its durability these features are very important during the retention stage. It is mostly recommended for the lower set of teeth.
Moreover, it has very delightful and bright components, which grab the attention of kids and teenagers. There are the following most important benefits of Hawley retention that cannot be ignored.
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Customization
Hawley retainers have the most important feature of customization. These can be customized according to the individual needs. This feature makes it more popular among the kids and teenagers.
Adjustability
Hawley retainers will give you more adaptability by allowing the small changes to be fixed easily. This flexibility enables the orthodontist to check and adjust the retainer even in the case of minor teeth shifting and wrapping.
Durability
Hawley retainers are made up of strong durable materials like acrylic, and metal wires that help the retainers to stand with the daily pressure. A well-maintained retainer can serve you much better than your thoughts.
Maintaining bite alignment
One can rely on the Hawley retainers because these assure maintenance and correct biting. It helps in the alignment of the teeth or repositioning through orthodontic treatment.
These changes are very important because they prevent the teeth from getting their original position.
Consider some drawbacks of Hawley retainers:
- More obvious than other retainers (wire sits frontward). One can find plastic plates uncomfortable.
- May make speech challenging.
- Bulkier appliances could irritate tongue, lips, or gum tissue. If improperly cleaned, bacteria could proliferate.
- Should not be worn correctly and consistently, teeth could shift.
- Calls for committed compliance.
- One can break, lose, or damage removable appliances.
Process for Hawley Retainers
The process for Hawley retainers is very long-lasting and includes the following steps.
Post orthodontic assessment
An orthodontist will decide whether retainers are necessary or not to preserve the alignment after orthodontic braces. It is usually advised to use retainers to get ongoing care.
Impression and customization
Firstly, orthodontist makes an impression of the patient’s teeth with the help of the special material which is then used to make the module of the Hawley retainer.
The acrylic piece is designed to apply on the mouth bottom and roof, and a thin wire is used for alignment purposes.
Fitting appointment
The patient has to visit the dental clinic regularly according to the scheduled appointment. The orthodontist examines the retainers to ensure whether the retainers were properly placed or not.
Wearing instructions
At first, it is usually advised to wear the Hawley retainers full-time to stabilize the teeth. Afterward wearing them during bedtime should be gradually introduced.
Tips to Care for your Hawley retainers
You have to act upon the instructions of your orthodontist like how long to wear the retainers, and how to clean the retainers.
During the initial period, you have to wear them only during nighttime. There are the following tips to care for your Hawley retainers.
Tight cleaning regime
Maintaining longevity requires good hygiene. You have to use a special toothbrush and soap to clean your retainers. To avoid damage, you have to stay away from chemicals and hot water according to the instructions of your orthodontist.
Avoiding damaging habits
You should have to avoid biting on your retainers or exposing them to high heat that could harm them. To avoid damage and to maintain proper hygiene try to remove your retainers during meals.
Regular check-ups
You should have to go for regular checkups to the orthodontist. then he can suggest tips to maintain oral hygiene and required changes for the maintenance of Hawley retainers.
How To Look After Your Hawley Retainer?
Combining the cost of the retainer with delicate makeup calls for careful maintenance of your Hawley retainer. While losing it at school (thrown out with lunch) is somewhat typical, so is a modest repair or readjustment resulting from small carelessness.
Requiring a new or rebuilt retainer can take up to a week, therefore affecting the course of treatment it offers. Regarding properly caring for and storing your Hawley retainer:
- Every day clean it and get rid of food bits and bacteria.
- See how using hot water for cleaning it alters its fit and form.
- Keep it far from hot water and heat.
- Keep it in its case while not wearing
Conclusion
Hawley retainers are always the best option to preserve your stunning smile for a long time following the orthodontic treatment.
Hawley retainers can save your teeth from unnecessary damage if you care for them properly according to the recommendations of your orthodontist. You should focus on proper oral hygiene for the longevity of Hawley retainers.
