If you wear braces, like most people, you can’t wait for them to come off. You also can’t wait to show your new, straight teeth to everyone. However, just because your braces are off, does not mean that your orthodontic treatment is over. After taking off your braces, you need to put in a retainer to ensure that your teeth remain in their new positions with minimal teeth movement. In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of using a retainer after removing braces and why you should do so…
Why should you use a retainer after removing braces?
There are several reasons why you should use a retainer after removing braces. Here are the top five:
- Stabilizing your bite: After you remove your braces, your bone and soft tissues need time to adapt to the changes made in the positioning of your teeth. The retainers help in stabilizing your teeth in their new arrangement. They also ensure that your teeth do not shift or relapse to their old positions. You should wear your retainers for at least 12 to 22 hours every day for at least two months to prevent relapse of your teeth.
- Spacing for wisdom teeth: Dental braces are quite common in preteens and teenagers. They will need to wear retainers around the time that their wisdom teeth erupt. By using the retainers in the right way, teens can maintain the space required in their jaw to accommodate the new wisdom teeth. The regular use of retainers at this time will ensure that their teeth do not crowd or shift due to a lack of space.
- Holding teeth in new positions: If you’ve had dental braces in order to fix gaps in your teeth, to fix severely misaligned teeth, or then, to fix an overbite or underbite, it would take a long time to stabilize. This is why it is imperative to hold the teeth in place even after your braces are removed. Orthodontic retainers can help do just that and will ensure that your teeth are repositioned firmly in their new spaces, till your mouth can adapt to the changes. They will also ensure that your retainers prevent the movement of teeth.
- Avoiding treatment reversal: Your teeth will tend to move back into their original positions in the months after your braces are removed. You can prevent this teeth reversal by using teeth retainers. You should wear your teeth retainers for a few months after your braces are removed.
- Helping with speech impediments: If you experience difficulty in saying certain words due to the placement of your teeth, your retainers can help in forming the sounds correctly. Your retainer styles of retainers after braces can also correct a tongue thrust, which is a type of speech impediment. During this speech impediment, your tongue finds its way through your teeth when you talk. You can use a special retainer called a tongue cage to fix this. This will also further help you pronounce your words correctly.
Types of Retainers
There are three main types of retainers that can be used after removing braces. These are:
- Fixed Retainers: These are also sometimes called permanent retainers. They are made of thin, metal wires and are attached to the front six teeth. They are held in place with a cement-like substance. These retainers last for 3 to 5 years and then they need to be changed. After this time, they can be replaced by removable retainers.
- Invisible Retainers: These are made of thick plastic and fit directly over the teeth, encompassing them entirely. These retainers are translucent and are quite prominent. These retainers can be taken out of the mouth, especially during eating and brushing your teeth.
- Hawley Retainers: These are the most popular type of retainers and are also the cheapest. They are made of both plastic and metal wire and fit over the front teeth with the metal wire being visible. However, not only are these retainers visible, they possess an appearance that is similar to braces.
If you need braces or a retainer, you need to consult the right dentist. You can find the right one at Vistadent, the Orthodontic Speciality Clinic. At Vistadent, We work closely with every patient and understand that both braces and retainers need to not only be effective, but also be aesthetically pleasing.
We will answer all your question regarding your braces and retainers and will create both that are uniquely suited to you and your teeth. So, if you need to get braces or retainers fixed over your teeth, do not hesitate any longer but consult Vistadent for the most comfortable and caring experience possible!
For more information about retainers or any other dental procedures, as well as other dental problems, contact Vistadent, the Orthodontic Speciality Clinic, at 040-23388111 or +91 9866572482 or at info@vistadent.net or visit our website at http://vistadent.net/.