Your orthodontist has many options and approaches available to straighten your teeth and correct other issues. You can have peace of mind to know that each solution can be effective and help you to achieve a new smile. You can then feel good about your appearance and have more self-esteem. If part of your treatment includes wearing a retainer, you may have some questions. It is important to know how this device works and what its purpose is.
A retainer is an orthodontic device that a patient may wear for different purposes. The appliance holds the teeth in place, usually after the patient has completed treatment with braces or aligners. After a tooth-straightening process, the bone will strengthen. While this is happening, teeth will start to shift to their original places.
Retainers prevent this. Retainers can either be removable or permanent. The device may have a plastic base that fits to the roof of the person’s mouth. Some retainers are made of plastic and are custom-made to fit over the person’s teeth. Others are bonded to the back of the person’s teeth.
After the orthodontist removes the braces or completes the teeth-straightening treatment, the patient will wear a retainer. The length of time will depend on how well the bone is strengthening and how severe the previous misalignment was. At first, the patient should wear the retainer 24 hours a day. This pattern typically continues for a few months. After this point, the patient should wear it at night for up to a year or more.
The retainer should last for as long as the patient needs the treatment. However, neglect or rough use can damage the device or make it ineffective. The patient should remove it while eating and rinse it off throughout the day. It is also helpful to brush it twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. When not wearing the retainer, the patient should keep it safe in a container, which the orthodontist will provide.
Retainers are not indestructible. It is possible to crack the base or rip the plastic. These issues can occur due to dropping it, stepping on it, or biting into something hard. It is essential to call the orthodontist right away and report the damage. At the orthodontist’s office, the team may be able to repair the appliance. In more serious cases, a replacement may be necessary.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontist in Brooklyn, NY
It is exciting to complete your orthodontic treatment. Getting your braces or aligner off is a momentous day. But your responsibilities to keep your teeth straight are not over. You will get a retainer, which you should wear as instructed. Failing to do this will result in having crooked teeth once more and undoing the work that the braces or aligners did. If you have questions or concerns about your retainer, talk to your orthodontist.
Request an appointment or call Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics: Susan Liebman, DMD at 718-416-6368 for an appointment in our Brooklyn office.
An orthodontist can help you to close up abnormal spaces between your teeth. The condition is termed diastema, and it ruins the appearance of your smile. Large spaces between teeth are normal for children, but these spaces normally close up as their remaining teeth erupt.Spaces between an adult’s teeth can be the result of an…
An orthodontist treats issues related to jaw and teeth alignment. Continue reading to learn more about the role of orthodontic treatment in the improvement of facial shape. The primary benefits of orthodontic treatment are to achieve ideal teeth alignment and jaw bite for improved health, function, and appearance. One additional benefit of orthodontic treatment that…
With each passing year, more and more people visit the orthodontist. For decades, there has been a perception that orthodontic treatment should only be done on children and teens, but this is finally changing. Advances in orthodontic technology can be credited for a large part of this. Clear aligners may be precisely what you need…
Having braces for kids can correct early dental alignment problems. Correcting this orthodontic treatment can give your child a good start in dental and general health. Knowing everything about this treatment can help you and your child prepare for it. Here are the details on getting ahead with braces for kids when it comes to…
An orthodontist can help you to close up abnormal spaces between your teeth. The condition is termed diastema, and it ruins the appearance of your smile. Large spaces between teeth are normal for children, but these spaces normally close up as their remaining teeth erupt.Spaces between an adult’s teeth can be the result of an…