Retainers

Retainers

New Iberia & Youngsville Retainers

Keep Your Smile Looking Its Best

Retainers at Feldman Orthodontics help keep your smile straight long after treatment ends. Over time, teeth can gradually shift without proper retention—but wearing your retainer keeps everything right where it belongs.

With the right retainer and guidance from our team in New Iberia and Youngsville, you can enjoy a confident, healthy smile for years to come.

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Finding the right retainer for you

Wearing a retainer is the most important step in maintaining your smile after treatment with braces or clear aligners.

At Feldman Orthodontics, Dr. Chris Feldman offers several types of retainers to help patients in New Iberia and Youngsville protect their results comfortably and confidently.


Essix retainers

Essix retainers at Feldman Orthodontics are clear, custom-made trays designed to maintain your smile after braces or clear aligner treatment. Their transparent design makes them a comfortable and discreet option for protecting your results.

How Essix retainers work

Essix retainers are created using digital scans of your teeth to ensure a precise, secure fit. Because they fully cover your teeth and are removable, they help keep your smile aligned while fitting easily into your daily routine.


Hawley retainers

Hawley retainers at Feldman Orthodontics are a durable, time-tested option for maintaining your smile after braces or clear aligner treatment. Their sturdy design makes them a reliable choice for long-term retention.

How Hawley retainers work

Hawley retainers are made from a combination of molded acrylic and a thin metal wire designed to hold your teeth in position. Because they can be adjusted if minor shifting occurs, they may help extend the life of your retainer without needing a full replacement.

How to Care for Your Retainer

Your smile journey doesn’t end when your braces or clear aligner treatment is complete. Wearing and caring for your retainer properly helps protect your results and keeps your smile straight for years to come.

Follow these simple guidelines to keep your retainer — and your smile — in great shape:

Wear Your Retainer as Directed

Wear your retainers whenever instructed by Dr. Chris Feldman. You may remove them while eating, brushing your teeth, swimming, or playing contact sports unless advised otherwise.

Bring Your Retainer to Appointments

Bring your retainer to follow-up visits so our team can check the fit and ensure it continues to maintain your alignment properly.

Always Use Your Retainer Case

When your retainer isn’t in your mouth, store it safely in its case. This helps prevent accidental damage or loss—one of the most common reasons retainers need replacement.

Contact Us if Your Retainer Doesn’t Fit

If your retainer feels tight, loose, cracked, or broken, contact Feldman Orthodontics as soon as possible. A poorly fitting retainer can allow teeth to shift.

Replace Lost Retainers Quickly

Call our New Iberia or Youngsville office right away if your retainer is lost. Teeth can begin shifting sooner than expected without consistent wear.

Clean Your Retainer Daily

Brush your retainer gently each day using a toothbrush and lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, which can warp the material.

Help Your Mouth Adjust

Speaking, reading, or singing out loud while wearing your retainer can help your mouth adapt more quickly during the adjustment period.

Keep Retainers Away From Heat

Avoid exposing your retainer to heat sources such as hot cars, washing machines, dryers, or hot water, as heat can cause warping or damage.

Retainers FAQs

Wondering what life with retainers is like? Here’s what to expect when maintaining your smile after orthodontic treatment at Feldman Orthodontics in New Iberia and Youngsville.

How long do I have to wear my retainers from Feldman Orthodontics?

How long will my retainer last?

How do I clean my retainer?

What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?

What should I do if I lose or break my retainer?

Can I eat while wearing my retainer?

Why do my retainers feel tight sometimes?