{"id":84570,"date":"2025-11-13T12:07:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T04:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/blog\/?p=84570"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T06:41:31","slug":"dental-retainers-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/blog\/dental-retainers-types\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Types of Dental Retainers: Hawley, Clear and Permanent Retainers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"84570\" class=\"elementor elementor-84570\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b071a2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3b071a2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2eccd7f\" data-id=\"2eccd7f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef61225 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef61225\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"469\" data-end=\"906\">After completing your orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will recommend wearing a retainer, also known as a dental stabiliser, to help keep your teeth in their new positions. Orthodontic treatments, such as braces or clear aligners, work by applying gentle, controlled pressure to shift your teeth. This process encourages bone growth on one side and resorption on the other, allowing your teeth to move into alignment.<\/p><p data-start=\"908\" data-end=\"1280\">However, once braces or aligners are removed, your teeth can gradually move back to their original positions \u2014 a natural tendency often called \u201crelapse.\u201d This happens because your teeth and gums are still adjusting to their new alignment. Wearing retainers for teeth helps prevent unwanted shifting, preserving your smile and the results of your orthodontic treatment.<\/p><p data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1573\">Whether you\u2019ve completed your journey with metal braces or invisible aligners, wearing a retainer is the next essential step to maintaining your new smile. But what are the different types of retainers, how long should you wear them, and what\u2019s the best way to clean them? Let\u2019s explore.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c5764f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c5764f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4325b2d\" data-id=\"4325b2d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bcc55c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bcc55c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-start=\"1580\" data-end=\"1608\">Types of Dental Retainers<\/h2><p data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1795\">There are several retainer types available, and your orthodontist will recommend one based on your treatment and lifestyle needs. Here are the most common options used in Australia:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44d711c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"44d711c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-459e623\" data-id=\"459e623\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-002b360 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"002b360\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size: 20px;\">1. Hawley Retainers\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-526b7c2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"526b7c2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1bd6769\" data-id=\"1bd6769\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52b1a67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"52b1a67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-84576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hawley-retainer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1087\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7068e32 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7068e32\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-967382d\" data-id=\"967382d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0755f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0755f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1925\"><strong data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1831\">Pros:<\/strong> Durable, adjustable, and long-lasting<br data-start=\"1869\" data-end=\"1872\" \/><strong data-start=\"1872\" data-end=\"1881\">Cons:<\/strong> Slightly bulky, takes time to get used to<\/p><p data-start=\"1927\" data-end=\"2413\">The Hawley retainer is one of the most traditional types. It\u2019s made with an acrylic base that sits against the roof of your mouth or under your tongue, connected by a metal wire that holds your teeth in place. While not as discreet as clear retainers, Hawley retainers are highly durable and can last several years with proper care.<\/p><p data-start=\"1927\" data-end=\"2413\"><strong data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2285\">Hawley Retainer Price:<\/strong> They typically cost between AUD $500\u2013$700 in Australia. They are commonly recommended after traditional braces.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-917eb32 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"917eb32\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8bf052c\" data-id=\"8bf052c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcb7b3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"bcb7b3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size: 20px;\">2. Essix Retainers (Clear Retainers)\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0512376 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0512376\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ef6283d\" data-id=\"ef6283d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1348ccf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1348ccf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-84577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/essix-retainers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1087\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f7590b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f7590b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-55d26bc\" data-id=\"55d26bc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5793ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5793ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2461\" data-end=\"2561\"><strong data-start=\"2461\" data-end=\"2470\">Pros:<\/strong> Discreet, removable, and aesthetic<br data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2508\" \/><strong data-start=\"2508\" data-end=\"2517\">Cons:<\/strong> Less durable, may need yearly replacement<\/p><p data-start=\"2563\" data-end=\"3039\">The Essix retainer, sometimes referred to as a clear retainer,\u00a0is made from transparent plastic and looks similar to clear aligner trays. It fits snugly over your teeth and is barely noticeable when worn. However, because they are made from thin plastic, Essix retainers can wear down over time and may need to be replaced every 12\u201318 months.<\/p><p data-start=\"2563\" data-end=\"3039\"><strong data-start=\"2938\" data-end=\"2957\">Clear Retainer Price:<\/strong> Around AUD $350\u2013$400, depending on your clinic and material quality.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-058d908 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"058d908\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7c886e\" data-id=\"f7c886e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3790bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"e3790bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size: 20px;\">3. Permanent Retainer (Fixed Retainer)\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d45577e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d45577e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e218512\" data-id=\"e218512\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-989fd34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"989fd34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-84578\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fixed-retainer.jpg\" alt=\"permenant retainer\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1087\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1074b27 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1074b27\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b63b2d5\" data-id=\"b63b2d5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89aa480 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89aa480\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3214\"><strong data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3100\">Pros:<\/strong> Always in place, no need to remember to wear it<br data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3151\" \/><strong data-start=\"3151\" data-end=\"3160\">Cons:<\/strong> Harder to clean, requires maintenance if it loosens<\/p><p data-start=\"3216\" data-end=\"3726\">A permanent retainer, also known as a fixed retainer or fixed ortho retainer, involves a thin wire bonded to the back of your teeth using dental composite. It\u2019s most often used on the lower front teeth to prevent shifting. Because it\u2019s permanently attached, you don\u2019t have to remove it \u2014 but proper cleaning is essential to avoid plaque build-up.<\/p><p data-start=\"3216\" data-end=\"3726\"><strong data-start=\"3577\" data-end=\"3596\">Permanent Retainer Price:<\/strong> Typically ranges from AUD $350\u2013$600 per arch in Australia, depending on your orthodontist and the complexity of installation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ea37546 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ea37546\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4df0c15\" data-id=\"4df0c15\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5c16b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b5c16b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-start=\"3733\" data-end=\"3772\">How Long Should You Wear a Retainer?<\/h2><p data-start=\"3774\" data-end=\"4107\">Most orthodontists recommend wearing a dental retainer full-time (20\u201322 hours per day) for the first 6\u201312 months after treatment. After this period, you can usually switch to wearing it only at night. For some patients, long-term or even lifelong retainer wear is advised to maintain results, as teeth naturally shift with age.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6639970 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6639970\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b8ca1b\" data-id=\"0b8ca1b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-888d812 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"888d812\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How to Clean Retainers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bd2efe4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bd2efe4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-441a00e\" data-id=\"441a00e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-728413f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"728413f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-84582\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cleaning-dental-retainers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1087\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ad2dac4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ad2dac4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4a65f46\" data-id=\"4a65f46\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c97eeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c97eeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"4141\" data-end=\"4216\">Proper cleaning is key to keeping your retainers hygienic and long-lasting.<\/p><p data-start=\"4218\" data-end=\"4264\"><strong>For Removable Retainers (Hawley or Essix):<\/strong><\/p><ul data-start=\"4265\" data-end=\"4535\"><li data-start=\"4265\" data-end=\"4372\"><p data-start=\"4267\" data-end=\"4372\">Soak your retainer in a specialised retainer cleaning solution or use mild soap and lukewarm water.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4476\"><p data-start=\"4375\" data-end=\"4476\">Gently brush it with a soft toothbrush but avoid using toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4477\" data-end=\"4535\"><p data-start=\"4479\" data-end=\"4535\">Rinse thoroughly before placing it back in your mouth.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"4537\" data-end=\"4561\"><strong>For Fixed Retainers:<\/strong><\/p><ul data-start=\"4562\" data-end=\"4820\"><li data-start=\"4562\" data-end=\"4671\"><p data-start=\"4564\" data-end=\"4671\">Use a floss threader or interdental brush to clean between your teeth and around the bonded wire.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4672\" data-end=\"4742\"><p data-start=\"4674\" data-end=\"4742\">A water flosser can help remove debris in hard-to-reach areas.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4743\" data-end=\"4820\"><p data-start=\"4745\" data-end=\"4820\">Regular dental check-ups are essential to ensure the wire remains secure.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d86e6b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4d86e6b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31d3e0e\" data-id=\"31d3e0e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8816377 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8816377\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5d770ba elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5d770ba\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-45b85f2\" data-id=\"45b85f2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91df1ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"91df1ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"4874\" data-end=\"5130\">At Dr Clear Aligners Australia, we understand how important it is to maintain your smile after treatment. We offer a range of retainers to help keep your teeth beautifully aligned.<\/p><p data-start=\"5132\" data-end=\"5347\">If your teeth have started to shift because you haven\u2019t worn your retainer, our team can help. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drclearaligners.au\/en\/free-smile-assessment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Take a free online smile assessment today<\/a> and receive a customised orthodontic plan designed for your smile goals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After completing your orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will recommend wearing a retainer, also known as a dental stabiliser, to help &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":84573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-orthodontics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Dental Retainer Guide: Types, Care &amp; Retainer Prices in Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the right retainer for you, along with cleaning tips, wear duration, and expected costs. 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