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-molded to sit comfortably on the roof of 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 healthy smile lasts as long as possible. It may be used after braces or transparent aligners like Invisalign therapy.
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.
According to a recent National Institute of Health Research, 90 percent of orthodontists choose Hawley retainers for usage with a maxillary dental arch.
As long as it is worn as instructed, a Hawley retainer is simple to use, pleasant to wear, and incredibly successful at preserving the results of your smile.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Hawley Retainer
A Hawley retainer has various advantages:
- Moldable to the patient’s mouth
- If required, adjustable over time
- The colour of the plate may be customised for a unique look.
- Robust materials are long-lasting and tough to harm.
- Simple to clean
- Removable for easy cleaning and maintenance
- There are no dietary restrictions: remove the retainer for all meals and beverages.
Some disadvantages of Hawley retainers to consider:
- more visibility 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 frequently.
- Dedicated compliance is required.
- Removable appliances are susceptible to being destroyed, lost, or damaged.
Because of these considerations, some patients may choose a different kind of retainer.
A Hawley retainer typically ranges from $350 to $600. The cost varies based on your orthodontic provider, the location where you are treated, and the details of your case. The fee covers the expense of sending moulds to a manufacturing facility and having the retainer customised for your mouth and returned to the clinic. Hawley retainers are often more expensive than transparent plastic Essix retainers, but a single Hawley retainer is meant to last several years, much longer than plastic Essix retainers.
Your Hawley retainer may be included in the total cost of your orthodontic treatment. Furthermore, individuals whose insurance covers their braces treatment may also be reimbursed for the retainer.
A new Hawley retainer will most likely cost the same as the original, roughly $350-$600. You may also be charged an additional fee for the office visit to be fitted with the new retainer.
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