Orthodontic retainers are crucial for maintaining the results of your orthodontic treatment and ensuring that your smile stays beautiful and aligned for years to come. Proper use of your retainer will help preserve your newly straightened teeth and prevent any unwanted shifts.
Why Retainers Are Essential
Once your braces are removed, retainers play an important role in stabilizing the changes made during your treatment. They help the surrounding bone and soft tissues solidify, a process that can take several months. Teeth move with pressure and time. Stable muscles will promote a more stable bite. If the tongue and cheeks are pushing on teeth improperly, teeth can shift over time. Consistent retainer is key to prevent tooth movement after teeth are aligned.
Types of Orthodontic Retainers
Removable Retainers
To keep your smile in its ideal position, it’s recommended to wear retainers indefinitely, as teeth can shift over time. Initially, you should wear your retainer as much as possible for the first year after removing your braces
- Transition to Nightly Wear: After about a year, you can switch to wearing your retainer only at night. This adjustment allows wisdom teeth to develop without disrupting your smile. Dr. Anne Richards and Dr. Jessica Piepenbrink will monitor your progress every six to nine months and recommend necessary X-rays every 18 months.
- Ongoing Use: After evaluating your wisdom teeth, you should continue to wear your retainer at least one night a week. As you age, the muscles around your teeth may tighten, potentially causing shifts or crowding.
Hawley Retainer
Clear Retainer
How to Care for Removable Retainers
Regular Cleaning: Clean your retainer thoroughly before and after each use. Since the material is slightly porous, plaque can accumulate. Use a toothbrush with mild soap or a denture cleaning solution like Efferdent to remove plaque and tartar. Rinse well to remove any soap residue.
Avoid Heat: Retainers are made from thermoplastic material sensitive to high temperatures. Keep them away from heat sources such as heaters, dishwashers, and car dashboards to prevent warping.
Proper Storage: Always store your retainer in its case when not in use to protect it from damage and keep it out of reach of pets, who might chew on it.
Replacement: Retainers are durable but may need replacement over time. Your treatment plan includes one set of retainers post-braces. If lost or damaged, replacement may incur a fee. If your retainer becomes loose or breaks, contact our office promptly.
Fixed Retainers (Bonded Wire)
A fixed retainer, bonded to the back of your teeth, is designed to stay in place indefinitely. It only needs to be removed if it causes gum or bone issues, as advised by your family dentist. If removal is necessary, switch to a removable retainer as prescribed by Dr. Richards and Dr. Piepenbrink. Regular monitoring by your dentist at six-month checkups is crucial to ensure its effectiveness.
Our goal is to help you maintain a stunning, healthy smile for life. Your commitment to following these guidelines is essential in achieving this goal.
