A Guide to Permanent Retainers after Braces- From Orthodontist

2019-06-18

Permanent retainers

When people think of getting braces, the first question a dentist will address relates to retainers. Most patients wonder whether they will need to wear a retainer once their braces off. In most cases, you need to know that the answer is often a “yes.” Regardless of your age, once you seek treatment-using braces, you will need to wear a retainer afterward.

From an orthodontist’s perspective, you should consider wearing permanent retainers, which should serve as insurance for the brand new smile you receive. With years of orthodontist training and education, an expert should be able to guide you on the importance of retainers. These are important investments because they help to maintain the efforts you put into braces.

It ensures that the results stay. If you do not wear retainers after braces, your teeth may end up moving back to their old position. This can lead to the tendency of your teeth becoming irregular again, resulting in unwanted changes.

Most patients who wore braces for a long time without retainers will tell you how their results weren’t the same. There was a time when wearing permanent retainers wasn’t an option, which led to their teeth moving out of place once again. To be precise, bottom teeth are more likely to move back to their old position, hence orthodontists suggest the use of permanent retainers now.

How Does a Retainer Help After Braces?

A retainer as mentioned plays the role of holding your teeth in the right place. Once removed for the first time, it is possible for the teeth to move back to their original, crooked position. While the braces are on, the fibrous ligaments and gums that hold the teeth are often loose. Upon removal of the braces, the gums do not tighten for some time, so they offer no form of resistance for the teeth to move around.

When you wear a retainer full time, it will help to keep your teeth in place, while allowing the gums to set in place. As days pass, an orthodontist with enough experience through Gerety Orthodontic Seminars will tell you that’s it is fine to stop wearing the retainer in the day. However, you will have to wear them at night for best results.

The time to stop wearing the retainers all depends on the condition of your teeth. A good orthodontist will guide you on the recommended time. It can differ from patient to the other, and the type of treatment that they had over time.

As the patient’s age, it is normal to notice some changes in the alignment of the teeth. However, wearing retainers will help to minimize the constant movement. You can also consider wearing retainers on a part-time basis, which should help to minimize the impact of the teeth moving. Just make sure that you consult experienced dentists in your area. They will be able to guide you well and update you on the information and features of retainers.

The Types of Retainers

In retainers, there are two types available. These include removable and permanent. At the end of your treatment, your orthodontist with enough experience from their orthodontist education years will recommend the best-suited one for you. However, you should learn more about the common types, including:

Permanent Retainers

In their appearance, permanent retainers are thin. They have fixed wires, positioned behind the top set of teeth. This makes them invisible. These adhere to the back section of the teeth with cement. This is similar to fixing braces in the front of the teeth. A dentist or an orthodontist will be able to remove a fixed retainer. Permanent retainers can stay in place for a longer time, especially if patients want to ensure their smile stays.

Removable Retainers

On the other hand, a removable retainer is a molded one. Its clear plastic and it can fit over the teeth easily. These could also be acrylic with bendable wires, but most patients prefer the clear plastic version. Keep in mind that your orthodontist will make the retainer once your treatment with braces ends. As your teeth move to their desired position, retainers will help to maintain the results. Patients using Invisalign treatment can use the last retainer they had in their treatment and use it regularly for some time.

Usually, retainers are removable. The only problem people face is removing them when eating. Some are not even diligent about brushing. They forget to put on the retainer after meals. However, if you choose a fixed one, this may be helpful for you.

As an orthodontist, if you move ahead in your career through orthodontist training and education, this should guide you well on the best ways to help maintain the smile of your patients. Retainers after braces are important, so you should make sure that you keep yourself up-to-date with its uses and application.