Table of Contents
Fixed and removable retainers
Orthodontic retention includes fixed and removable appliances designed to maintain the tooth positions achieved after the active phase of orthodontic treatment. The treating clinician determines the type of retention, its extent and the prescribed method of use.
At KarDent, we manufacture fixed retainers with transfer jigs, thermoformed retainers, active retention appliances and removable acrylic retainers, including Hawley retainers. Each appliance is custom-made based on the clinician’s prescription and the submitted models, impressions or intraoral scans.
The available retention solutions differ in design, material and method of use. Detailed information about individual variants is provided on the relevant product pages.
Fixed retainers with transfer jigs
Our fixed retainers are manufactured from multistranded orthodontic wire individually adapted to the lingual or palatal surfaces of the teeth specified in the prescription. The retainer can be supplied with a silicone transfer jig that stabilises the wire and helps maintain its intended position during bonding.
The prescription should specify the upper or lower arch, the extent of the retainer and the teeth to be included. Based on this information, we prepare the contoured wire and a transfer jig designed to support precise positioning.
The transfer jig is an auxiliary component used to position the retainer in the planned location. It is supplied as part of the fixed retainer with transfer jig, rather than as a separate appliance.
Thermoformed retainers and retention appliances
Our range includes conventional thermoformed retainers, SPD thermoformed retainers and active retention appliances. Each appliance is custom-made for the upper or lower arch using a working model or a correctly prepared intraoral scan.
Individual designs may differ in material, thickness, extent of tooth coverage and finishing method. Active retention appliances are manufactured in accordance with the clinician’s detailed prescription and the required design specifications.
Removable acrylic retainers
Removable retention appliances include Hawley retainers and other custom-made acrylic retainers. Their design may incorporate an acrylic baseplate, a labial bow and retentive components arranged according to the clinician’s prescription.
Retainers are manufactured separately for the upper or lower arch. The design may be customised in terms of the labial bow configuration, clasp type, extent of the acrylic component and any additional elements specified by the clinician.
Detailed construction options are presented on the individual product pages.
Biobloc Stage 2
Biobloc Stage 2 is a removable retention appliance used following the expansion phase carried out with a Biobloc Stage 1 appliance. It is designed to maintain the conditions achieved during the previous stage of treatment and support their stabilisation.
At KarDent, we manufacture Biobloc Stage 2 appliances with either a sublingual or palatal crossover wire. The appliance design, wire configuration and extent of the acrylic component are adapted to the clinician’s prescription.
The appliance can be produced from physical models, impressions or intraoral scans. The prescription should specify the required crossover-wire variant and include all additional design instructions.
Manufacture based on models or scans
We accept retention cases through both conventional and digital workflows. Appliances may be manufactured on models supplied to the laboratory, models produced from impressions or 3D-printed models generated from intraoral scans.
The prescription should include the product name, indicate the upper or lower arch, define the extent of the appliance and provide any additional technical instructions. For fixed retainers, it is also necessary to specify the teeth to be included and the intended wire configuration.
Complete and accurate documentation enables the laboratory to reproduce the prescribed design and reduces the need for additional clarification during production.
Working with KarDent Laboratory
Our orthodontic retention services are intended for orthodontists, dentists and dental practices. The laboratory is responsible for manufacturing each appliance in accordance with the clinician’s prescription and the submitted documentation.
The treating clinician determines the type and extent of retention and provides instructions for appliance use. For non-standard designs, the manufacturing method can be discussed with the KarDent team before production begins.