Orthodontic Retention
NOW THAT YOU HAVE A STUNNING SMILE, FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP IT
Braces are long gone, allowing you to show off an immaculate, straight smile without the need for metal. There’s still a long way to go, even when your orthodontic treatment is done. Retainers are required to keep the results of your dental treatment in place. In order to maintain your teeth in their present position and avoid them changing, you’ll need a retainer. Keepers are used after your braces are removed to maintain your teeth in the correct position while your gums and bones adjust to the new position.
TYPES OF RETAINERS
Retainers are tailored to your new smile and come in fixed and detachable styles.
- Traditional removable retainers consist of an acrylic arch linked to a metal wire that wraps around the front teeth. An advantage of traditional retainers is that the metal wires can be changed to complete your treatment and to move the front teeth a little more.
- Essix retainers, also known as aligner-style retainers, resemble transparent aligners and are a more attractive alternative to wire retainers. This transparent retainer may be able to cover your complete dental arch.
- Wires attached behind the bottom and/or top teeth make up fixed retainers. While the device is normally only needed for a year after wisdom teeth are removed, it is often left in place for the rest of one’s life.
PROS AND CONS
- You may take out removable retainers to eat or brush your teeth.
- Make sure you maintain your removable retainer in its case anytime it is not in your mouth or getting brushed.
- A fixed retainer is ideal if you don’t want to keep track of it or are concerned about how many hours a day it must be worn.
- Teeth with fixed retainers need a little more care while flossing to eliminate tartar. Floss threaders are often used by patients with permanent retainers to transfer dental floss through the tiny crevices between the retainer and the teeth.