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Orthodontic Retainers in Bermondsey

Keep Your Smile Straight with Custom Retainers at Calm Dental

How Do Orthodontic Retainers Work?

After your braces or aligners have done their job, retainers help keep your teeth in their new, straight positions. Without a retainer, teeth can gradually shift back – especially in the first months after treatment.

We offer both fixed and removable retainers, custom-made to fit your smile perfectly. These discreet devices hold your teeth in place while the surrounding bone and soft tissues stabilise. Wearing your retainer as advised is essential for protecting the results you’ve worked hard to achieve.

Whether you’re finishing Invisalign or fixed braces, we’ll guide you through your long-term retention plan to keep your smile aligned for years to come.

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Why Choose Retainers?

Retainers are a vital part of maintaining your new smile once your braces or aligners come off. They help hold your teeth in their corrected positions while your mouth adjusts and stabilises.

Wearing a retainer as recommended prevents relapse—the natural tendency of teeth to shift back over time. It’s the simplest, most effective way to protect the results of your orthodontic treatment.

We’ll advise you on the best type of retainer for your needs and provide regular reviews to make sure everything stays comfortably in place.

The Benefits of Orthodontic Retainers

Protect Your Results

Retainers hold your teeth in their corrected positions after braces or Invisalign, preventing unwanted movement.

Custom and Comfortable

Whether fixed or removable, our retainers are made to fit your mouth precisely, making them comfortable and easy to wear.

Essential for Long-Term Success

Even the best orthodontic results can relapse without retention. Retainers are a simple, reliable way to maintain your smile for the long term.

The Retainer Process

We offer both fixed and removable retainers, and the journey for each is designed to ensure comfort, precision, and long-lasting results. Here’s how it works:

Removable Retainers (Essix or Hawley)

1. 3D Digital Scan

We begin with a quick and mess-free intraoral scan of your teeth using our advanced 3Shape scanner. This gives us a highly accurate digital model—no need for traditional impressions.​

2. Custom Retainer Design

Using your 3D scan, we design a retainer that fits your teeth perfectly. You can choose between clear Essix retainers or traditional Hawley-style with a metal wire.

3. Laboratory Fabrication

Your retainer is produced in a specialist dental lab using high-quality materials that ensure durability, comfort, and clarity (for clear retainers).

4. Fitting Appointment

Once ready, you’ll return to the clinic to try your retainer. We’ll check the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and show you how to wear and care for it.

5: Ongoing Care

We’ll see you for regular reviews and guide you on how long to wear your retainer daily to maintain your results.

Fixed Retainers

1. Assessment

After your orthodontic treatment is complete, the dentist will examine your teeth and determine if a fixed retainer is suitable—commonly used for the front upper or lower teeth.

2. Same-Day Bonding

If appropriate, the fixed retainer can usually be placed during the same visit. A thin, custom-bent wire is bonded discreetly behind your teeth using a strong dental adhesive.

3. Fit Check & Hygiene Guidance

We’ll check your bite and ensure the wire is smooth and secure. You’ll receive tailored advice on how to clean around your fixed retainer to keep it and your teeth healthy.

4. Ongoing Care

Fixed retainers are designed for long-term wear and are checked during your regular reviews to make sure the wire remains intact and effective.

Need Help Choosing?

Not sure whether a fixed or removable retainer—or both—is right for you? Our team at Calm Dental will guide you through your options based on your treatment, habits, and long-term goals.

Your Orthodontist In Southwark, London

Located near Bermondsey High Street, we are very accessible by Bus, Tube or Train:

  • Eighteen-minute walk from London Bridge tube and rail station (National Rail, Jubilee Line, Northern Line, Windrush)

  • Nineteen-minute walk from Bermondsey station (Jubilee Line)

We are on many bus routes, including the 1, 78, 188 and N1.

We have good disabled access for all our treatments and services including our well-proportioned bathroom.

We look forward to welcoming you in person very soon!

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FAQs

Why do I need a retainer after braces or Invisalign?

Retainers are essential to keep your teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment. Without retention, teeth naturally tend to shift back over time. Retainers help protect the results you’ve achieved.

What’s the difference between a fixed and a removable retainer?

  • Fixed retainers are thin wires bonded to the back of your front teeth. They stay in place permanently and work continuously without any effort on your part.

  • Removable retainers are clear or wire-based devices that you wear according to your dentist’s instructions—usually at night.

Which type of retainer is best for me?

That depends on your specific case. Fixed retainers are great for long-term stability, especially for lower front teeth. Removable retainers offer flexibility and are ideal for full-arch retention. Often, we recommend a combination of both for maximum protection.

How long do I need to wear my retainer?

Retention is lifelong. For removable retainers, most patients are advised to wear them every night indefinitely. Fixed retainers can stay in place for many years, provided they’re well maintained.

How do I care for my fixed retainer?

  • Brush around the retainer carefully.

  • Use floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean between the teeth and under the wire.

  • Visit Calm Dental for regular check-ups to ensure the bond is intact and your gums stay healthy.

How do I clean a removable retainer?

  • Rinse your retainer with cool water after each use.

  • Gently brush it with a soft toothbrush (no toothpaste).

  • Soak it weekly in a non-alcoholic retainer cleaner if advised.

  • Always store it in its case when not in use.

What happens if my fixed retainer comes loose?

Contact us as soon as possible. A loose or broken wire can lead to unwanted tooth movement. We’ll rebond or replace it quickly to keep your alignment secure.

Can I replace a lost or broken removable retainer?

Yes. Because we keep your 3D scan on file, we can usually have a replacement made without needing another scan or impression. Let us know promptly so your teeth don’t begin to shift.

Will retainers affect my speech?

Most patients adjust to retainers quickly. Removable retainers may slightly affect speech for a day or two, but this usually resolves fast. Fixed retainers won’t affect speech at all.

Are retainers included in my orthodontic treatment plan?

Yes. At Calm Dental, we include retainers as part of your treatment. We’ll guide you through the type, fitting, and long-term care—all aimed at keeping your smile looking its best for years to come.

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We’re ready to protect your smile

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Portrait of Dr Agata Kijowska, founder and principal dentist at Calm Dental, Bermondsey London, smiling and wearing dark scrubs.
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