After braces have been removed teeth have a tendency to return to their original position
After braces have been removed teeth have a tendency to return to their original position undoing your great new smile. To prevent this, we will always advise you that you wear a retainer. Wearing a retainer is simple, but it is actually a complex piece of equipment and a significant part of your treatment. To maintain the success of your orthodontic treatment, it is vital that you wear your retainer. It is difficult to say how long you will need to wear your retainer- each patient is different. Michelle’s advice about how long you will need a retainer for will be tailored to you.
There are ranges of different retainers available and we will recommend to you the type of retainer that will best keep your teeth in position. Here is an outline of the different type of retainers Michelle may recommend.
Essix removable retainers
This is a clear or transparent retainer that is moulded to fit over the teeth.
Hawley removable retainers
This is the second most common retainer and is made of a metal wire that surrounds the teeth, keeping them in place. The wire is rooted to a piece of specially moulded acrylic, which resides in the palate or floor of the mouth.
Bonded fixed retainers
These consist of a wire bonded to the tongue side of your teeth. They are designed to hold your teeth in a particular position for a long period of time and the longer they remain in place the greater the guarantee that your teeth will remain straight.
Guidelines for wearing and taking care of your retainer.
Michelle will have specially designed your retainer to help you maintain your treatment results. In order to benefit from a lifelong healthy smile, there are few guidelines for wearing and taking care of your retainer that it is essential to follow:
- Wear your retainers as directed – If you don’t follow our instructions for wearing a retainer, it will not be effective in preventing your teeth from moving back to their original position. Retainers don’t work when their in your pocket!
- Keep them clean – We will show how best to keep your braces clean and this must be done very regularly. Also make sure you see your dentist for a thorough cleaning every 6 months (or more often if recommended).
- Handle them with care – If your retainer isn’t in your mouth, it should be in its case. This is because retainers are very easy to lose and expensive to replace.
- If you have a problem, please call us – If you break or lose your retainer, then contact us immediately for a replacement. If your retainer stops fitting properly (which is liable to happen if you don’t wear your retainer in the way Michelle advises) or if your fixed retainer becomes loose, ring us right away for an appointment.
