Retainers after braces, are they important?
A retainer is a customized orthodontic appliance given after orthodontic treatment finishes, to retain teeth in their new alignment and prevent them from drifting back into their former positions.
After the teeth have been straightened, many orthodontists advise wearing a retainer intermittently for the foreseeable future. Wearing a retainer will quickly become a part of a patient's daily routine, even though it may initially seem a little daunting. After some time, most patients will only require a few nights of use per week to maintain their teeth in the desired positions permanently.
Why are retainers always given after braces?
After the teeth have been straightened by orthodontic braces treatment, the patient will need to wear a retainer regularly to help preserve their gorgeous new smile. It makes no difference in terms of orthodontic treatment whether patients have worn braces for years or just a few months.
To successfully attain straighter teeth, the patient's devotion is necessary, and when it is, it is worth celebrating! However, after the braces are taken off, only the first stage of orthodontic treatment has been finished, and the next stage is just as crucial if not more so.
Why is it important to wear Orthodontist prescribed retainers?
Following the removal of braces or the final aligner, the soft and rigid tissues around the teeth can occasionally take a bit longer to realign into place. The ligaments allow the teeth to move and have an impact on the jaw bone's remodeling when stress is applied to and around the teeth using braces or Invisalign. Surrounding ligaments, gums, and bones stabilize after orthodontic treatment is finished, which is where retainers come to the aid. The gums and bones will settle to the new tooth placements and bite if you use the retainers prescribed by your orthodontists.
How are retainers made?
A digital impression of the newly aligned teeth is used to create the retainer, which is then produced from wire and acrylic or clear plastic (Essix retainer/mouthguard) (Hawley retainer). Each retainer is individually created to maintain a patient's straight grin for life, although this does call for the patient's commitment.
Types of retainers
Removable and fixed retainers are two distinct categories. Based on the specifics of each case, the orthodontist determines which of these would be the best fit for a patient.
Fixed retainers
The advantages of fixed retainer
retention and movement prevention do not depend on patient cooperation.
Disadvantages of fixed retainers
Less convenient for brushing and flossing
Removable retainers
It's easy to brush and floss with removable retainers and they only need to be worn at night
Major drawback of removable retainers
tend to be more lost and damaged
increased risk of tooth mobility in case of patient's non-compliance
Are retainers uncomfortable?
Retainers could seem a little weird at first, just like anything new. The mouth quickly becomes accustomed to the new retainer's sensation, usually within a day or two. Additionally, if the speech is impacted, it usually only lasts a day or two. Failure to wear retainers as per your dentist's instruction may prevent the retainer from doing its job, which may result in the teeth gradually sliding back toward their original position.
The Wilmington orthodontic center team is available to respond to all of your inquiries, address any issues, or offer encouragement if you simply need it. Get in touch with us right away to learn more about the function retainers play following orthodontic treatment.
