New subscription retainers from Click

Retainers are often an essential adjunct to orthodontic treatment to ensure relapse does not occur. In fact, many years after primary orthodontic treatment has been completed, retention still needs to be maintained, often for life.

"The problem with retainers, however, is that they break, wear out, the dog gets to it or they simply get lost," explains Terry Whitty, a noted dental technician based in Sydney. "If there is not a very easy and inexpensive pathway for patients to take to replace that retainer, then they will be tempted simply not to bother.

"As a technician with a lot of orthodontic experience, I know how much this inconveniences everyone - from the patient, to the dentist who administered the treatment, to the technician who has to remake the retainer, usually in a hurry. The patient may need to come into the practice again, have impressions taken again and then wait for the retainer to arrive. It can be a longwinded and expensive process for both the patient and the issuing dentist.

"Given the advances in many areas of orthodontics brought about by new materials and technologies, I thought that there had to be a better way."

Perfect retention from the perfect retainer

For the past eight years, Mr Whitty has been utilising the latest advances in CAD/CAM technology including intraoral scanning, milling and 3D printing to develop hi-tech delivery of traditional orthodontics. The fruits of this labour now include the Truline™ IOS (Invisible Orthodontic System) that uses clear aligners and other appliances to move teeth; Implaguide™ surgical guides; and Digisplint occlusal splints, all made using automated, computer-controlled, hi-tech manufacturing at his Sydney laboratory.

"When it comes to the perfect retainer for the digital age, we're proud to introduce the Click Subscription Retainer that we've developed in Australia and manufacture in Sydney. In the same way that we produce clear orthodontic aligners from an intraoral scan (from 3Shape Trios, Itero, Carestream, PlanScan, etc), an STL file from any compatible scanner or a stone model, we now offer orthodontic retainers that are clear, comfortable and very effective. Patients also love them - they click into place and are practically invisible."

Click Retainers are made from Zendura, an engineered polyurethane material and the gold standard in clear aligner materials, used by the majority of orthodontic companies for their clear aligner systems. The material is strong, durable, resists staining and because of its polyurethane base, is unlike any other material available.

Click Subscription Retainers

• Hi-tech, clear retainers that easily "click" into place
• Made in Australia using Zendura engineered polyurethane
• Digitally designed and manufactured
• Comfortable, durable, stain resistant
• Automatically corrects minor relapses
• Annual "subscription" fee per patient covers replacement if retainer is lost or damaged
• Replacement retainers reproduced from digitally archived models - No recurring visits to your practice for impressions are required
• Replacement retainers 'blind shipped' direct to the patient on your behalf
• Intraoral scan compatible

Subscription retention

"We're using the term Click Subscription Retainers because apart from being a great product standalone, for a nominal annual fee per patient, you can have a series of Click retainers delivered direct to your patient throughout the year or whenever they need replacing.

"The first set is always delivered to the dentist so the fit can be checked with the patient present. We then supply replacements for lost or damaged retainers, or whenever new ones are required. No visits to the practice are required for new impressions and the retainers can be 'blind shipped' direct to the patient in the dentists' name within a few days of ordering for an all-inclusive price. The dentist can then charge the patient for the service as they see fit.

"Because the process is completely digital, we can store the 3D model used to make the retainer initially and then reproduce it when and as required."

Another major advantage of this system is that if minor tooth movement has occurred, the Click retainer will gently move the teeth back to the post treatment position.

"We've had a number of our Truline IOS dentists trialling Click and they've all given it the thumbs up. It is the future of retention and available right now."