The Importance of Retainers: Maintaining Your Smile After Braces
October 17, 2024
After months of wearing braces, you’ve finally achieved the perfect smile. But maintaining that picture-perfect grin isn’t as simple as removing your braces.
Enter the retainer.
While many patients view retainers after braces as an optional afterthought, they are essential to prevent your teeth from gradually shifting back into their original positions.
And without retainers after braces, the time and money you put into treatment could go out the window. Here, we’ll explore the benefits of retainers, how they work, and what kinds are available.
Why You Need Retainers After Braces
Braces do the heavy lifting to straighten your smile, but teeth can shift back into their previous positions without proper aftercare. Why?
Your bones and muscles need time to adjust. In the meantime, everyday habits like chewing put pressure on your teeth and can move them. Retainers pick up where our dental braces left off, creating a custom barrier that’s molded to the exact shape of your teeth. When you wear them, retainers apply gentle pressure to keep teeth in their new positions, ensuring:
- Your teeth stay put while bone stabilizes
- You retain the muscles necessary to accommodate the new alignment
Types of Retainers
Fixed Retainers
Fixed or permanent retainers are bonded to your teeth and cannot be removed. The fixed nature of these retainers is both beneficial and limiting.
The obvious benefit of a permanent retainer is that you’ll never forget to wear it. Fixed retainers after braces are also beneficial because they:
- Are invisible from the front
- Do not alter speech and are often more comfortable because they are located behind the teeth
- Are incredibly durable and can last for many years with proper maintenance
The obvious downside is that you cannot remove fixed retainers when eating or sleeping.
Removable Retainers
As the name suggests, removable retainers can be taken out. The primary benefit is that you can remove them for eating, cleaning, and special occasions. These dental devices also allow for normal flossing without special tools.
The downside, of course, is that these retainers after braces require you to maintain discipline. It may be tempting to skip wearing the retainer, which could impact treatment results. Additionally, some types of removable retainers may be visible when worn, and there's often a short adjustment period where speech might be affected.
Clear Retainers
Clear retainers remain a popular choice because they are both discrete and comfortable. Unlike traditional retainers, clear ones are virtually invisible.
Additionally, clear retainers typically fit perfectly from the outset. That's because they are created using advanced 3D scanning technology and precision manufacturing processes. This ensures an accurate, comfortable fit that effectively holds teeth in their new positions.
Proper Care & Maintenance
The cleaning process varies with the type of retainer.
For fixed retainers, spend extra time brushing, using the end of the toothbrush to brush up and down behind each tooth. Even with traditional floss or a water flosser, you will likely experience tartar buildup, so be sure to schedule preventative dental services every six months.
To clean removable and clear retainers, rinse with warm water, apply a non-abrasive toothpaste or dish soap, and brush with a separate toothbrush. Do not use hot water; it can warp your removable and clear retainer, causing it to lose shape.
Maintain Your New Smile With Help From AlignBar!
Now that you have a picture-perfect smile, it's time to maintain it. That's why we're here. At AlignBar Orthodontics, we offer a variety of retainers and mouthguards to ensure your teeth stay perfectly aligned and protected. We'll protect your smile investment and ensure you stay comfortable while we do it. Book a consultation today!
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