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Show off your beautiful smile,

not your retainer.

Home Slide 1
  • Superior Aesthetics

  • Unparalleled Durability

  • Gentle on teeth

  • BPA Free

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  • Retainers 101
  • Retainers 101

    Retainers after braces and clear alignersclearbow_retainers_clearbow_3_300

    Retainers are custom made orthodontic appliances that are designed to help keep patients’ teeth in their aligned position. When braces are removed or when clear aligners are no longer required, the tissues around the teeth (Periodontal tissues) and the jawbone need time to reform around the new position of the teeth. Retainers help prevent unwanted tooth movement(s) during the retention phase of the orthodontic treatment. In many cases, patients are required to wear their retainer day and night for the first 6-12 months. After this period, many patients can wear their retainer less frequently on a continual basis recommended by their doctor.

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    Throughout the retention phase it’s very important that patients are compliant with their retainer wear instructions provided by their doctor, as this may help ensure a beautiful smile.

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  • ClearBow
  • ClearBow

    new_plastic_retainer_clearbow_10_300_webThe ClearBow is an aesthetic component used in the fabrication of retainers and other types of orthodontic appliances. The ClearBow comprises a clear plastic strap that is designed to provide patients with superior aesthetics, optimum tooth contact for superior retention and unparalleled durability for a longer lasting retainer. Conventional steel wires are unsightly, can scratch teeth and also provide very little tooth surface contact.

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      • Aesthetic 
      • Gentle on teeth
      • Virtually unbreakable
      • BPA free
      • Virtually resistant to stains 
      • Unaffected by sunlight

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  • Advantages
  • Aesthetically pleasing

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    The ClearBow is a virtually transparent, encouraging patients to wear their orthodontic retainers and show off their beautiful new smile without feeling self-conscious.

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    Gentle on tooth enamel, veneered teeth and restorations

    clearbow_gentle_on_teeth_durable_aeshtetic_clear_retainer_96_webBecause the ClearBow is softer than conventional steel wires, it does not scratch tooth enamel, restorations or veneered teeth.

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    Virtually resistant to stains

    Portrait of a young man drinking coffee while sitting on armchaiCold or hot beverages such as cranberry juice, coffee, hot chocolate, cola, tea and red wine will not stain or distort the ClearBow.

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    Free from BPA

    clearbow_retainer_clear_bpa_freePWG Orthodontic Specialties LTD. values the health and safety of all patients undergoing their orthodontic treatment. That’s why the ClearBow is manufactured using high quality food-grade materials without any BPA (Bysphenol A), a chemical that is banned in Canada and
    deemed potentially harmful to health.

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    Anatomically designed to provide more tooth surface contact

    clearbow_tooth_contact_96_english_webThe ClearBow is anatomically designed at 2.75 mm (.11″) wide with a concave structure to provide optimum tooth contact for superior retention. This is very beneficial if patients had very crooked teeth prior to orthodontic treatment.

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    Virtually unbreakable

    new_plastic_retainer_clearbow_3_300Sometimes retainers are placed under stresses that could cause the labial wire to weaken and possibly break. The ClearBow is specially designed to better withstand these common stressors, ensuring your retainer’s ongoing durability and dependability for keeping your teeth straight.

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  • Compare
  • Retainer made with a ClearBow compared to vacuum formed retainers / trays

    hygienic_clearbow_plastic_retainer_webRetainers made with the ClearBow do not cover the entire tooth like vacuum formed retainers / trays. This allows for more saliva to flow around the patient’s teeth to protect tooth enamel and clean away food and bacteria.

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    Retainers made with the ClearBow are fabricated using highly durable components that are subjected to little or no stresses when in the mouth. This is due to the retainer not covering the biting surfaces of the teeth like vacuum formed retainers / trays. This maximizes the retainer’s durability and ongoing reliability for keeping teeth straight and smiles beautiful.

    excellent_occlusion_clearbow_webRetainers made with the ClearBow are “anatomically friendly” as they allow the patient’s upper and lower teeth to come together when the mouth is closed.  This is due to the retainer not covering the biting surfaces of the teeth like vacuum formed retainers / trays. 

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    Retainers made with the ClearBow can include contact information, different colors, designs and stickers, making this type of aesthetic retainer even more unique, colorful and easier to identify.

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    Retainer made with the ClearBow compared to fixed bonded lingual wires


    Fixed bonded lingual wiresare subjected to masticating forces and harder to clean.

    splint_disadvantages_fixed_retainers_bad_300This type of retention option is more subject to biting forces which can cause 2 things to happen if the wire is bitten; the wire will impart forces to the teeth causing them to shift / rotate [FIG. 1], or the wire partially dislodges from the teeth which would constantly poke the tongue [FIG. 2]. Flossing teeth becomes more time consuming because the patient will be required to force the floss under the wire for each bonded tooth [FIG. 3]. Fixed bonded lingual wires make it easier for little pieces of food to get trapped between the wire and teeth [FIG. 3]. Fixed bonded lingual wires may also promote more plaque build-up as it is harder for patients to brush around [FIG. 3]

     

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    no tooth interference_web_2Retainers with the ClearBow are not subjected to biting forces. Before playing sports, eating or brushing and flossing teeth, patients simply remove their retainer and re-insert it when they’re done.

     

     

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  • Cleaning
  • Cleaning

    Cleaning your retainer on a daily basis is essential for reducing the risk of contamination and safeguarding the retainer’s aesthetic features.retainer_splash_clearbow_96clearbow_dentasoak

    Oral appliance cleaners help eliminate calcium build-up, accumulation of bacteria and prevent unwanted odors.


    Because retainers made with the ClearBow have soldered joints, it is important to use an oral appliance cleaner that does not deteriorate the retainer’s metal work.


    Below you will find a list of oral appliance cleaners that we have tested on retainers made with the ClearBow during a 5 month period between (February 2013 – June 2013). These products did not affect the ClearBow or the solder joints.

    Important:

    If you use a soaking type oral appliance cleaner like DentaSoak® or Retainer Splash™, be sure to follow steps 4 – 6 below after your orthodontic retainer is cleaned.

    If you use a foam type oral appliance cleaner like Polident® Fresh Cleanse, be sure to follow steps 1 – 6 below.

    Steps for cleaning your retainer

    1. Squirt the oral appliance foam cleaner on both sides of your retainer.
    2. Gently scrub both sides of the acrylic plate using your fingers. If necessary use a very soft bristled toothbrush.
    3. Use a wet cotton swab to gently clean the metal work and both surfaces of the ClearBow.
    4. Rinse the retainer.
    5. Gently pat the retainer dry prior to storing.
    6. Ensure your retainer case is clean and dry.

    Oral appliance cleaners that can be used for retainers made with the ClearBow

    DentaSoak®http://www.dentasoak.com

    Retainer Splash™: www.retainersplash.com

    Polident® Retainer Cleaner tablets: http://www.expertsmiles.ca/Products.aspx?iso=en#PolidentSection

    Polident® Fresh Cleanse: http://www.expertsmiles.ca/Products.aspx?iso=en#PolidentSection

    Important

    • Do not place your retainer in a microwave, oven or boiling water for cleaning your retainer.
    • Do not use a hairdryer on high heat to dry off your retainer after cleaning.
    • Do not use toothpaste, baking soda, mouthwashes or denture cleaning tablets for cleaning your retainer.

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  • FAQ
  • FAQ

    For information relating to the points below, please consult your doctor.
    • Price for a retainer made with the ClearBow
    • Replacing a steel wire on your current retainer for a ClearBow
    • Adding decals, colors and designs to your retainer
    • Retainer wear instructions
    Does the ClearBow contain any BPA?

    The ClearBow does not contain any BPA.

    Is the ClearBow affected by sunlight?

    We left a ClearBow outside for 45 days during the summer of 2013. The shape and color of the ClearBow did not change.

    Will drinking hot beverages affect the ClearBow on my retainer?

    No, the ClearBow is unaffected by boiling water. *Important: Do not use boiling water for cleaning your retainer as this will warp the acrylic plate.

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  • Gallery
  • Gallery

    Color, design and decal options for orthodontic retainers vary for every doctor. The images below are for demonstration purposes only.

    1.  Blue / Bleu
    2.  Red / Rouge
    3.  Grey / Gris
    4.  Yellow / Jaune
    5.  Green / Vert
    6.  Pink / Rose
    7.  Black / Noir
    8.  Orange
    9.  Purple / Mauve

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New Clear Hawley Retainer

hawley-retainer-with-clearbowTraditional Hawley retainers that leave you hiding an unsightly “metal wire smile” are a thing of the past. Now you can confidently show off your beautiful smile with the durable ClearBow Hawley retainer; a new clear retainer that is fabricated with a virtually unbreakable, BPA-free plastic orthodontic wire (ClearBow). The ClearBow orthodontic wire is made in Canada and is not damaged by boiling water or stained by coffee, cola, beet juice or red wine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hawley-retainer-with-clearbow-labial-wire

The ClearBow Hawley retainer is designed to provide superior aesthetics encouraging patients to wear their durable clear  Hawley retainer without feeling self-conscious.

 

 

Unlike other types of clear retainers, the ClearBow Hawley retainer covers little or no biting surfaces of the teeth. When properly designed by the orthodontist, the ClearBow Hawley retainer allows the teeth to settle into occlusion, which will also permit even distribution of the biting forces.

 

 

The ClearBow orthodontic wire is guaranteed not to break when the ClearBow Hawley retainer is used under normal conditions specified by the doctor. The ClearBow Hawley retainer can be prescribed to children, adolescents and adults by a general dentist or orthodontist.

 

 

Watch the video below to see how durable the ClearBow Hawley retainer is!

To locate an orthodontist please click the link below:

http://www.mylifemysmile.org/aao-locator (US and International)

http://yoursmileourspecialty.ca/find (Canada)

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  • Clearbow.com opened
  • October
  • 2,
  • 2013