Retention

Ensuring your retainer lasts for a long time is by taking good care of it!

Your orthodontic care doesn’t stop the day you stop wearing your braces. The day you say goodbye to your braces is the day you usher in retainers. You’ll be required to wear retainers for some time after getting your braces to help your teeth adjust to their new position. 

Keep in mind that the teeth weren’t set in a rigid environment and even after they have been corrected by the braces, they can still shift over time. However, the only way of ensuring that your teeth retainer lasts for a long time is by taking good care of it. Here are some tips to help ease retainer care.

Remove Your Retainers When Brushing

Avoid brushing your teeth without removing your retainer since you will end up missing large sections of your mouth. Furthermore, your toothbrush may inadvertently displace the teeth retainer from its position which can be catastrophic. Always brush and floss frequently but after you have removed your valuable retainer. Clean the retainer separately before putting it back into place.

Clean Your Retainer and Take It Out Before You Eat

Retainer care is important to avoid undergoing the same treatment again. Brush your retainers each time you brush your teeth and do so carefully to avoid causing problems. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to clean them and rinse well before putting them back to your mouth. Experts also recommend that you should remove your retainer before taking your meals so that it doesn’t trap food, bacteria, and plaque.

Never Use Hot Water to Wash the Retainer

Never use hot water to wash and rinse your retainer since it may distort the acrylic or plastic. If this happens, the retainer may expand and will not fit in your mouth making it useless. Always use cold water to clean your retainer to prevent such things from occurring.

If you have more specific questions about your retainer or retainer care, don’t hesitate to contact us!

What are your options when it comes to the types of retainers that you can choose from? Find out!

What are you supposed to do after you’ve straightened your teeth, got back your fantastic smile and took your bite back to its rightful place? Get a retainer to ensure that all the orthodontic treatment that you recently had remains in place. Retainers have been around for a long time, and they are even sometimes used to fix the alignment of your teeth. During the retention phase of the treatment, you’ll be required to wear a retainer for some time until the new bone and gums adapt to the new position of your teeth. Below are the three basic types of retainers that you can choose from.

Fixed/Permanent Retainers

The permanent retainer is a thin piece of wire that is usually worn across the rear of the upper or lower front teeth. The wire is then attached in place with cement that resembles the one which is applied to the brackets of braces. A floss threader is used to access the tiny interproximal spaces between your teeth since the wire used stretches across several teeth. This is similar to the manner in which people with traditional braces have to floss. This type of retainer usually produces excellent results since the bonded wire holds your teeth in perfect position 24/7.

Essix Retainers

They are also known as the clear retainers and made of clear acrylic. Clear retainers cover all your teeth surfaces but don’t cover the roof of your mouth. The most significant advantage of clear retainers is that they are invisible and easy to remove. They are often custom-made to fit the teeth of a specific individual. Clear retainers aren’t recommended for people with certain conditions such as teeth grinding.

Hawley Retainers

The most noticeable feature of these retainers is the bow wire which typically runs across the front side of your teeth. The Hawley retainers are made of a typical acrylic material that covers both the surface of your teeth and the roof of your mouth. The purpose of the bow wire is to maintain the teeth in their right position.

Still not sure which retainer is right for you? Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your options and help make the best decision for you!

With several options, how do you choose the right retainer for you?

Getting your braces off is exciting, but it’s not the end of your orthodontic treatment. You must still choose a retainer to ensure that your teeth remain in their new position. Although up to 90 percent of the movement of your teeth occurs with braces, wearing a retainer is necessary to complete the shifting.

Types of Retainers

Retainers come in three basic types, all of which have advantages and disadvantages. These include:

 

• Essix Retainers: You will recognize the clear plastic material if you wore Invisalign braces. Although they are nearly invisible to others and easy to remove, Essix retainers are less durable than other types. They can also be more challenging to clean.
• Hawley Retainers: This type is plastic or acrylic with bendable wire. It goes into your mouth and slides out quite easily. If you find that your Hawley retainer doesn’t fit right or is not as comfortable as you hoped, Dr. Schmitt can adjust it as necessary. The one disadvantage is that it’s easy for others to see.
• Permanent Bonded Retainers: This is a good option if there’s any chance your teeth will shift back towards their former position. Dr. Schmitt bonds it to the back of your teeth where it remains permanently out of view.

Another thing to consider is that you need to clean your retainer often. To choose the right type of retainer, you need to know how often you wear it, the type of retainer, and any special oral health challenges such as frequent plaque build-up. Additionally, Invisalign makes its own retainer under the brand name Vivera. If you’re accustomed to wearing Invisalign aligners, this could be the perfect solution.

Feel free to schedule an appointment if you’re getting to the end of your orthodontic treatment and would like additional input into retainers.

Several types of retainers are frequently prescribed during the retention phase

If you have completed the active portion of your orthodontic treatment, congratulations are in order! However, in order to maintain your new dental alignment, a retainer may be necessary. Retainers help hold your teeth in position after your braces have been removed. Several types of retainers are frequently prescribed:

Retainers That Are Fixed in the Mouth

Fixed retainers typically consist of a thin piece of wire that runs across the back side of the upper or lower front teeth and is bonded into position with dental cement. These retainers are great options because bonding the wire to the teeth prevents unwanted movement.. In effect, fixed retainers hold the teeth perfectly in place. Still, due to the presence of the retaining wire, they can make it a bit more cumbersome to floss. However, a floss threader or an oral irrigator can help simplify the task. Here is one common type of fixed retainer:

• Permanently bonded retainers. These retainers are applied to the six teeth in the center of the upper and lower palates.

Retainers That Can Be Removed

A removable retainer is sometimes preferred because its removal makes it easy to brush and floss. Still, it’s important to remember to wear a removable retainer each day. Initially, you may be required to wear it around the clock. Here are two types of retainers that are removable :

• Hawley retainers. Hawley retainers are made of flexible wire and molded acrylic, which fits flush against the roof of your mouth. The bendable wire of these retainers makes them adjustable. Thus, the retainer can be customized to fit your alignment needs.
• Essix retainers. These removable retainers are made of clear, rigid plastic material and look quite similar to clear plastic aligning trays, such as those used with the Invisalign system. Since these retainers are transparent, they are barely noticeable when worn.

For more information about retainers that may be suitable for the retention of your dental alignment, contact our office to schedule an appointment.