Retainers for teeth are responsible for preserving the alignment which is achieved by Orthodontic Care. Braces move the teeth into a proper alignment and retainers help to stabilize the bone and soft tissues which prevents the teeth from going back to their previous position. Retainers protect the teeth’s alignment for a long time and make it permanent.
This blog of Broadway Family Dentists will guide you about the importance of retainers. You should know about the important information of retainers which one is right for you and how long you need it for long term results.
What Are Dental Retainers?
A dental retainer is a customized oral device that is designed to maintain the alignment of teeth after orthodontic treatment. This oral device ensures that the teeth do not drift back to their previous alignment because it stabilizes the bone and soft tissues with the alignment of braces.
Orthodontic Care helps to straighten the teeth but this alignment is not permanent and retainers help to engage the bone, ligaments, and soft tissues to the newly aligned position which makes the alignment permanent.
Types of Retainers for Teeth and Which Type is Right for You?
There are three types of retainers which are designed for different aesthetic needs. You can choose the right retainer for you according to your requirements and needs to enhance your smile.
Hawley Retainers
These are personalized and removable retainers that are specially designed with thin metal wire and a sturdy acrylic base. This type of retainer is more durable and reliable but it never meets with the requirements of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Essix Retainers
These types of retainers are the crystal clear retainers for teeth which are made of plastic trays and are the best choice for people who need transparent or invisible retainers. Essix retainers are very similar to the Hawley retainers which are customized and removable retainers. These retainers offer retainer replacement at your home.
Bonded Retainers
This is a different type of retainers which are permanent orthodontic retainer and involve a slim wire aligned to the backside of the front teeth fixed with dental adhesive. Bonded retainers for teeth help to provide continuous support to stabilize the teeth for long-term alignment.
Why You Need a Retainer After Braces
A retainer is essential after the removal of braces because the periodontal ligaments and bone tissues are soft and they may adjust back to the previous alignment. A retainer for teeth helps to adjust the proper alignment of teeth for the long-term. These retainers for teeth stabilize new bone formation to ensure to maintenance of aligned smiles for months and years.
This oral device helps to maintain a balanced bite and prevent crowding. The consistent use of these devices plays a vital role in protecting your investment in orthodontic care. When you remove braces, it is a time frame in which teeth may shift to a random position and retainers for teeth interrupt the unalignment of the newborn tooth.
Duration to Wear a Retainer
The duration to wear a retainer depends upon the orthodontic needs of the patient because some people wear retainers for life long due to their misalignment issues. Generally, retainers duration is divided into three parts:
Initial Stage
Your straight teeth are unstable after removal of braces. This is the initial stage in which you can wear retainers full-time for the first few months. Retainers for teeth help to adjust and secure the bones and ligaments to new and straight positions for a long time.
Maintenance Stage
After the initial stage, the bones and tissues are adjusted to the new position but it is preferable to wear a retainer for the maintenance of aligned teeth. You can wear a retainer during the day time which provides you long-term maintenance and you can remove your retainer at night.
Long-Term Stability
Some people have severe crowding, big rotations, and major bite issues. It is preferable for such people to wear retainers for lifetime to prevent these issues. Some people have mouth alignment issues, and they use retainers for teeth at nighttime for long-term stability of their teeth.
How to Care for Your Retainers
The proper maintenance and care of your retainer ensures the effectiveness of the retainer for a long time. You can follow these tips for the care of your retainer.
- You can rinse the retainer with warm water after removing it.
- You can brush your retainer with a soft tooth brush to clean it.
- You can avoid taking your retainer near heat which can distort its shape.
- You can floss your fixed retainer carefully with the floss thread.
Conclusion
Retainers for teeth are life long partners to protect your smile straight for life. This oral device is beneficial to maintain your teeth alignment for a long time. There is no side effect of using retainers because it does not cause discomfort in your mouth.
You can ask your orthodontist to help in choosing the right and suitable retainer to maintain your straight smile for a long time. Retainer replacement is easy when you choose a removable retainer which is also friendly with the Cosmetic Dentistry. Retainer for teeth straightening is the best choice to protect your straight smile for a long time. Permanent orthodontic retainers are fixed and costly retainers but these retainers provide consistent alignment which is more effective for a long time.
FAQ’s
How frequently am I supposed to use my retainer?
You may wear a retainer for a few months during the day and night after removing braces which provides you long-term benefits of alignment. After a few months, you can wear a retainer at nighttime only which provides you permanent alignment of your straightened teeth.
Is it safe to have food while keeping my retainer in place?
You may eat while wearing a fixed retainer but cleaning is required for the fixed retainer to prevent plaque buildup. It is preferable that removable retainers should be taken out while eating because the retainer may break down in your mouth.
What is the proper way to clean a clear retainer?
You can clean your removable retainer with a soft teeth brush and warm water while fixed retainers can be cleaned with a floss thread.