A retainer is an orthodontic device used after braces and other orthodontic equipments have been removed. It is constructed of plastic and metal and fits over the top of the teeth and mouth of each patient.
A retainer is required for each patient who has had orthodontic treatment.
Why Is It Necessary to Wear a Retainer After Orthodontic Treatment?
Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite might be attributed to heredity. If you don’t wear a retainer after braces, your teeth will return to their pre-orthodontic state. If you disregard the retainer, you may get an orthodontic relapse, which may necessitate significant treatment. The teeth will shift in the years after braces are removed, but the magnitude of the movement will be determined by how often you wear the retainers.
Why Are Retainers Important for 5 Reasons?
Retainers can aid with your orthodontic treatment in the following ways:
They help to keep your bite intact.
After braces removal, the adjustment of tissues and teeth bones take a bit time. After they settle to the new place, there are less chances of yeeth shifting and the braces getting out of place.
They make room for wisdom teeth as well as new teeth.
Most users of braces are teenagers with growing bodies. When they wear their retainer religiously, the required jaw space will be preserved to accommodate additional teeth, such as wisdom teeth. The use of retainers regularly prevents teeth from shifting or crowding owing to a lack of space.
They obstruct treatment Reversal
In the months after the removal of braces, the teeth will begin to move back to their original position. The reverse can be avoided with the use of a retainer. You may, however, be forced to wear a retainer for a few years, depending on your situation.
Your Jaw Bones and Gums are Aligned
The gums and bones that surround your teeth will take longer to adjust when your teeth are aligned to a new position. Retainers aid in the alignment and stabilization of your bite.
They assist teeth in maintaining their position.
It will take longer for the teeth to stabilize if you use braces to close gaps in your teeth. Even with badly dislocated teeth, huge overbites, and underbites, this can be true. It’s critical to keep teeth that have to be relocated a long way or placed considerably in their new places securely in place until the mouth adjusts to the alterations. This is made easier by the retainer.
Is it Necessary to Wear a Retainer for a Long Time?
After your braces are removed, you should wear your removable retainer for at least 12 months, and you may have to wear it full-time for the first 4-6 months. However, each orthodontic treatment is unique, and the length of time you must wear your retainer is determined by the type of orthodontic correction you got.
How Should You Look After Your Retainers?
- Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, just like you would with your braces, is the first step in caring for your retainers.
- Wear, clean, and store your retainers according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have fixed retainers, make sure to floss between the wires that are linked to your teeth to avoid plaque development.
- If you have detachable retainers, you should wash them with lukewarm water after each meal or drink. You may also clean them with toothpaste and your toothbrush.
- Your ability to diligently wear a retainer is critical to the outcome of your orthodontic treatment. Get in contact with SportingSmiles if you’re having problems with your retainers or if you’d like to talk about your retainer choices.