Orthodontic treatment is never complete without a successful retention phase! Teeth retainers are a necessary step in maintaining the positioning of the teeth. Lets answer the 3 most asked questions below…
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is a dental piece that holds your teeth in the new position. Very often, the teeth are likely to fall back to the original position when the orthodontic treatment is completed.
When you are wearing the braces, the gums and the teeth ligaments are loosened, and they don’t tighten fast enough to hold the teeth in position. Hence, without a retainer, it is easy for the teeth to move back to the original space. Wearing a teeth retention dental piece full-time will give the gums time to settle.
How long do I have to wear a retainer?
The length of the retention phase will depend on the type of retainer braces you use. For fixed retainers, it can take 4 to 6 months, while the removable ones take around 12 months. You will need to wear the retainers all the time, as advised by the orthodontic. After the initial time, you may wear them at night for an indefinite time or until the dentist advises otherwise.
What should I expect when wearing a retainer?
Wearing a retainer is similar to the braces, but there won’t be soreness since the teeth are not moving to a new position. Additionally, unlike the braces, retainers are easy on the cheeks.
As always, every patient is different and it is important to contact us regarding your specific treatment and expectations.