Once orthodontic treatment is over, the process of maintaining a perfectly aligned smile begins. It is impossible to overstate the importance of using a retainer, since it is essential to retaining the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Here are some reasons why maintaining your smile and long-term dental health requires wearing a retainer.
Understanding the Role of a Retainer
A retainer, a specially manufactured device, holds your teeth in their newly aligned positions after receiving orthodontic treatment. Once you remove braces or other orthodontic devices, your teeth always want to revert to their original positions, at least a little. Relapse is a phenomenon that can happen for a number of reasons, including normal bone remodeling, lingering gum strain, or even daily activities. By applying consistent, light pressure to hold your teeth in place, retainers help to avoid nearly all of this relapse.
Benefits of Wearing a Retainer
- Maintaining Alignment: After receiving orthodontic treatment, the major purpose of a retainer is to keep your teeth in their proper alignment. Even after your braces come off, your teeth are still settling into their final position. Retainer wear ensures that they remain in place and change as little as possible over time.
- Preventing Relapse: In orthodontics, relapse is a common problem in which teeth gradually tend to regress to their initial positions. By consistently applying pressure to maintain the teeth in their proper alignment, a retainer lowers the chance of needing further orthodontic treatment.
- Safeguarding Your Investment: Getting orthodontic treatment requires a substantial amount of time and a large financial commitment. By wearing a retainer as instructed, you are safeguarding your investment and ensuring the maintenance of your beautiful smile over time.
- Maintaining Jaw Health: A healthy jaw is mostly dependent on tooth alignment. Incorrectly positioned teeth can cause issues such as uneven wear, jaw pain, and difficulty chewing. A retainer supports your jaw’s health and function by helping to maintain optimal alignment.
- Boosting self-esteem: If teeth start to move, the aesthetic gains made possible by orthodontic treatment may be compromised. Wearing a retainer enhances your confidence and self-esteem by maintaining your smile’s appearance after your orthodontic treatment.
Types of Retainers
Fixed Retainers
Permanently cemented to the rear of your teeth. We occasionally use fixed retainers for the lower front teeth as a useful tool to preserve long-term alignment. Regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary to maintain dental health.
Removable Retainers
You can remove them for eating, cleaning, and flossing. Typically, they consist of wire and plastic or clear plastic. Both upper and lower teeth typically use removable retainers due to their flexibility and ease of cleaning. Usually we will ask you to wear your removable retainers full time for a period of 3-4 months, after which you can wear them just at night, while sleeping.
How to Take Care of and Wear Your Retainer
As Directed by Your Orthodontist: It is essential that you wear your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist. It is often necessary to wear your retainers full-time at first, then only at night. Following these guidelines ensures maintenance of your beautiful smile.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Use of a toothbrush and mild soap to clean your retainer on a regular basis. Avoid using toothpaste as it could potentially scratch the surface. Before putting the retainer back in your mouth, give it a thorough rinse.
Store Correctly: To prevent damage and infection, keep your detachable retainer in its case when not in use. Heat can deform the retainer, so don’t leave it in heated places like a car, or use hot water when cleaning it.
Frequent Examinations: Make follow-up appointments with your orthodontist to make sure your teeth stay in their intended locations and your retainer is doing its job.
Discomfort: Wearing a retainer can cause some initial discomfort, but this should pass as you grow used to it. Call your orthodontist if you continue to have problems or pain.
Speech Modifications: When wearing a retainer for the first time, you can notice some slight alterations in your speech. Usually, this goes away over the first few days as you become used to them.
Compliance: Wearing your retainer on a regular basis can be difficult to remember, but keeping your orthodontic results requires discipline. You can do it!
Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining your perfect smile
At the conclusion of the orthodontic process, wearing a retainer is essential to maintaining the straight, gorgeous smile you’ve worked so hard to get. You can safeguard your investment and get the long-term benefits of a healthy, aligned smile by wearing your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and assistance in taking care of your retainers. They are designed to help you maintain your beautiful smile for a lifetime!
