A Hawley retainer is a kind of orthodontic retainer that consists of a hard plastic or acrylic plate joined by a thin metal wire. The retainer is custom-moulded to sit inside your mouth, with the wire resting on the front of your top teeth.

The retainer safeguards the effects of your orthodontic treatment and keeps your teeth from shifting back into their original locations. The Hawley retainer must be worn overnight for the rest of your life to ensure that your radiant smile lasts as long as possible. It can be used after braces or transparent aligners such as the Invisalign procedure.

Hawley retainers are the original retention device, although other designs, such as detachable transparent plastic retainers such as Essix and Vivera retainers, have evolved in recent decades. While transparent retainers are becoming increasingly popular, the Hawley retainer remains one of the most often used and successful retention devices among orthodontists and patients.

As long as it is worn as instructed, a Hawley retainer is simple to use, comfortable to wear, and incredibly successful at enhancing the results of your smile.

The Pros and Cons

A Hawley retainer has various advantages:

• It is simple to mould to the patient’s mouth and may be adjusted over time if necessary.
• The colour of the plate may be customised for a more unique appearance.
• It is made of robust materials that are long-lasting and tough to harm.
• Simple to clean.
• Removable for easy cleaning and maintenance
• There are no dietary restrictions: When eating or drinking, simply remove the retainer.

Some disadvantages of Hawley retainers to consider:

• More visible than other retainers (wire sits in the front).
• Plastic plates may be irritating.
• Speaking difficulties may occur.
• A larger appliance may irritate the lips, gums, or tongue.
• Bacteria might develop if not adequately cleansed.
• Teeth may move if not worn correctly and on a frequent basis.
• Dedicated compliance is required.
• Removable appliances are susceptible to being destroyed, lost, or damaged.

Because of these considerations, some patients may prefer a different type of retainer.

How To Care for a Hawley Retainer

It is critical to keep the Hawley retainer clean and properly kept while not in use in order for it to function correctly.

Wear your Hawley retainer every night and properly clean it before keeping it in its case during the day. To clean, remove it from your mouth and carefully brush the entire surface with a toothbrush and warm water. Avoid using toothpaste since it might harm the plastic in the retainer.

You may also immerse your retainer in baking soda and water for a couple hours for a thorough clean on occasion. Don’t do it every night since it will corrode the metal wire, but soaking the retainer overnight once or twice a month can offer a complete general cleaning of the appliance. To avoid bacterial development, wet the storage case. Rinse your retainer with water before replacing it in your mouth or the storage case; do the same with the storage case.