Hawley Retainers

What Is a Hawley Retainer?

A Hawley retainer has a plastic or acrylic plate molded to fit the inside of your mouth. You can choose clear or colored plastic, creating a custom look.

It has wires that fit over your back teeth, helping to hold the retainer in place. A wire, called a labial bow, fits over your front teeth and loops over your canines. This allows the wire to be adjusted.

After your Hawley retainer is fitted, we will need to see you regularly to check if it is doing its job and to make any necessary adjustments.

What Are the Advantages of Choosing a Hawley Retainer?

A custom Hawley retainer is a tried and trusted appliance offering several advantages, as outlined below.

1. A Hawley retainer can be adjusted using the loops of your canines. This can be useful if you need it to fit more snugly or if your teeth need slight realignment later.
2. It can be a more durable retainer compared with a clear plastic retainer.
3. If you break your Hawley retainer, we may be able to repair it.
4. Your Hawley retainer can last for years if you care for it properly.
5. Because the retainer doesn’t cover your teeth, it allows your upper and lower teeth to contact naturally, making it comfortable.

What Are the Disadvantages of Choosing a Hawley Retainer?

The potential disadvantages of choosing a Hawley retainer are outlined below.

1. Your speech may be affected while wearing this retainer.
2. The wire across your front teeth is more noticeable than other retainers.
3. You may find the wire irritates your cheeks and lips initially until you get used to wearing your Hawley retainer.
4. When you first start wearing your Hawley retainer, your mouth may produce more saliva. Putting a new dental appliance in your mouth can make your body think it is time to eat, so it produces more saliva until it gets used to the retainer.

Caring for Your Mouth While Using Your Hawley Retainer

It’s important to continue brushing and flossing your teeth like normal while wearing your Hawley retainer. Ensure you brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss every day.

Can I Eat with My Hawley Retainer?

Whenever you eat anything, it is better to remove your Hawley retainer. Eating with it could damage it, and there is a risk that the retainer will trap food and plaque, causing oral hygiene problems. It could also become discolored.

After you finish eating, it’s important to brush your teeth before you reinsert your Hawley retainer.

How to Clean Hawley Retainers

Cleaning your retainer will help prolong its life and keep it from smelling unpleasant. To care for your Hawley retainer, follow the advice below.

• Clean your retainer every day to remove plaque and food particles. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush the retainer gently with warm water and mild soap.
• Do not clean your retainer in hot water, which could affect its fit and shape.
• After you have cleaned your retainer, soak it in a cleaning agent (we can advise you which brand to choose). Soaking it will help freshen it further and kill harmful bacteria.
• Store your retainer in the case provided when not wearing, and keep it away from heat that could distort it.

What If I Break My Retainer?

If you break your Hawley retainer, you must contact us immediately. The retainer must be professionally repaired, so please don’t try to mend it yourself.

How Long Must I Wear My Hawley Retainer?

Any retainer must be worn full-time initially to be effective. As your teeth settle down, you can wear it less frequently. We will advise you on how to decrease the wear time.

Wearing your Hawley retainer is the final step in your orthodontic treatment, but it is essential.