7 Reasons to Make Maintain Your Preferred Retainer

DB Orthodontics gives seven reasons why Maintain, the Dual Retainer system by Consultant Orthodontist David Waring, offers a reliable form of retention following active orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic retention has been, and still is, a much debated area. Traditionally, routine removable retainers have been used to maintain alignment by holding the dentition in place while the surrounding tissues remodel to the new position. If this phase of treatment is not undertaken the teeth may return back to their original untreated position (Green, 2015).

Here are our 7 reasons to choose Maintain ... 

1. Maximum support and dual responsibility

Maintain’s dual approach comprises the following: a bonded braided flattened retainer wire, made with Straight 8 Plus rectangular wire for maximum surface contact, and two removable pressure formed retainers to be worn at night by the patient. This approach offers greater support for both the posterior and anterior zones.

Maintain also introduces the positive element of patient participation, providing the patient with the removable retainer and requesting long-term retainer wear delegates an element of responsibility to the patient in ensuring long-term success.

2. An additional retainer is provided - handy!

For peace of mind, we provide an additional retainer. This means the patient not only has the option of using the transfer jig minus the wire, but also a full arch retainer as a back-up.

3. The transfer Jig is really easy to use

Take away the hassle of fitting retainers with bulky transfer jigs which block visibility. The wire component of Maintain is attached to the transfer jig; a vacuum-formed full arch featuring a cut-out window. This presents ease of use in three ways: minimised risk of dropping the wire, full visibility at all times and freedom of both hands. Once bonded, the jig is easily cut away with a high or slow speed bur, or a wire cutter.

4. Straight 8's retainer wire provides maximum surface contact

Straight 8 Plus’ flattened rectangular shaped retainer wire provides maximum surface contact with the lingual surface in comparison to rounded brands which have a minimal sized contact point. Fabricated by the experienced team at Studio 8, clinicians can enjoy the ease of fitting a high quality, highly polished low profile product designed to harbour minimal bacteria.

In addition to offering Straight 8, we recognise sometimes a clinician may have a specific need to suit a special case. With this in mind, we can accommodate your requirements by offering an alternative wire if needed.

5. Less chairside time

Studio 8’s digital technology allows clinicians to take a scan or impression with fixed appliances still in place whilst still creating a perfect fit with Maintain. As Maintain can be fitted at the same time as the de-bond of appliances, all is completed in one appointment. This offers the bonus of less chair side time, saves on booking an additional visit for the patient and removes the risk of tooth movement occurring between de-bonding and fitting appointments.

 

6. Passive placement

If retainers are placed incorrectly, torque may be introduced and result in unexpected tooth movement (Katsaros et al, 2007). The vacuum-formed retainer element of the jig, which is then cut away following bonding and used as a retainer, helps to minimise the risk of torque forces.

Step 1: Easy to use transfer Jig ensures passive placement. Step 2: Bonding is easy as retainer wire is accessible through the cut-out window. Step 3: light cure.

Step 4: Separate the removable retainer from the bonded lingual wire with a high-speed bur, slow-speed bur or wire cutter. Step five: Remove jig and wear nightly for dual retention.

7. Rely on great service

Fully digital in-house Laboratory Studio 8, based at DB Orthodontics’ West Yorkshire headquarters, offer a 5-day turnaround and accept alginate, silicone or digital scans. As with all DB Orthodontics’ products and services, a highly trained team are always available for support over the phone and can provide a lab order form via email on request. 

Tackle the challenges

Effective and clinically proven, Maintain tackles many challenges associated with modern retention systems. With Maintain, patients benefit from the permanent support of a bonded lingual retainer, and the additional reinforcement of a removable retainer worn at night.

David Waring says of the system,‘Dual retention is a desired approach for retention following active orthodontic treatment. The design of Maintain performs both roles and allows easy placement of the bonded retainer.’ 

For more information, call +44 (0) 1535 656 999, email sales@dbortho.com or visit www.dbortho.com.

References

  1. Green JIJ (2015) Dental materials: the multi-stranded wire retainer. doi: 10.1038/bdjteam.2015.54
  2. Katsaros C, Livas C, Renkema AM. Unexpected complications of bonded mandibular lingual retainers. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007; 132(6): 838–41.