Retainers
It takes a lot of effort on the part of the orthodontist and a lot of patience on the part of the patient to perfect a smile. Removing your braces after your orthodontic treatment isn’t enough to keep your perfect smile permanently. To keep your teeth in perfect alignment for years to come, you’ll need to wear a retainer.
A retainer is an important part of your orthodontic treatment as it helps maintain your new smile after braces. Your retainer is specially designed by your Snö Orthodontist to help you maintain the results from your treatment. Retainers are custom made for each person. Wearing your retainer as instructed is the key to maintaining the success of your orthodontic treatment.
There are a variety of retainers. Some are removable and some are fixed—that is, they are cemented to your teeth. Your orthodontist will provide the kind of retainer that best maintains the new positions of your teeth.
The three major types of retainers are fixed, detachable clear trays (Essix retainers) and the more typical acrylic plate and wire retainers (Hawley retainers). The type of retainer you choose should be discussed carefully with your orthodontist, there may be more than one type of retainer that will fit you. The best solution is based on the nature of your treatment.
Fixed retainers are constructed of a thin wire that is barely noticeable and are permanently bonded behind your front teeth. They can break or become distorted, necessitating a visit to your orthodontist to have them repaired.
Clear Essix retainers resemble Invisalign aligners in appearance, are very unobtrusive, and are typically only worn at night.
Hawley retainers have been around for a long time and are fairly durable, but they are a little bulkier than the other alternatives.
Your orthodontist will recommend how long to continue wearing your retainers, depending on whether they are removable or fixed. Wearing your retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your teeth from moving after your orthodontic treatment.
Your retainer is designed to perform a vital role in your overall orthodontic treatment. It’s very important that you wear your retainer exactly as you have been instructed. Otherwise, your treatment goals may not be maintained. If you’re wearing retainers after braces and you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions, your teeth could move toward their original positions, erasing some of the great results you achieved from treatment. You may need to wear your retainers quite a while, so be patient. Each person’s case is different. Follow your orthodontist’s instructions for wearing your retainers. In some cases, permanent retention will be necessary. Your orthodontist will determine how long you’ll need to wear retainers.
It’s just as vital to keep your retainer clean as it is to keep your teeth clean. Otherwise, food particles can become lodged and allow plaque and bacteria to build up, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease while also producing unpleasant odors. If you don’t clean your clear retainers properly, they may become discolored!
Different sorts of maintenance are required for removable and permanent retainers. Your orthodontist will demonstrate how to clean retainers, and we also have a whole page on how to clean retainers that includes further information and natural items to use. For the time being, here’s a basic rundown:
Removable retainers:
- After removing your retainer, rinse it with water before reinstalling it.
- Clean it twice a day with dish soap or castile soap, brushing away plaque and food particles with a soft bristle toothbrush.
- To get into any deep crevices, use a cotton bud.
- Some dentists recommend soaking your retainer in a solution. Remember to follow your dentist’s recommendations as well as the product’s instructions.
- To clean yellowed clear retainers, carefully scrub them with baking soda, water, and a gentle toothbrush.
- On your Hawley or Essix retainer, never use whitening toothpaste! Stick to soap and water because it can be overly rough and abrasive.
Fixed retainers:
Because bonded retainers cannot be removed for cleaning, the cleaning process may take some getting used to, but it will soon become a part of your regular routine.
When you have fixed retainers behind your teeth, dental floss or interdental brushes are essential for preserving your dental health. You’ll need to thread in between your teeth and beneath the bonded wire. You should, of course, continue to brush your teeth as usual apart from flossing!
You should expect to wear a retention device for the rest of your life if you want your teeth to stay straight. Otherwise, your teeth will begin to drift back out of alignment. It’s very common for people to realize their teeth have migrated after braces have been removed after a few years.
If you have a removable retainer, you will most likely be required to wear it most of the time for the first six months, with the exception of eating and brushing your teeth. Following that, you can usually only wear your device at night. According to your situation, your orthodontist will tell you how long you should wear your retainer each day.
At the end of the day, whether you get a permanent retainer or a removable Hawley or Essix retainer, the most important thing is that you use it according to your orthodontist’s recommendations. They’ll inform you how long you should wear your retainer each day and how to properly maintain it so it lasts as long as possible.
If your retainer should break or be lost, contact your Snö Orthodontist at once for a replacement. If your retainer is not fitting properly — which may happen if you do not wear your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist – or if your fixed retainer should become loose, call your Snö Orthodontist, at 800 DENTIST, right away for an appointment.
Other similar devices
Retainers, mouth guards, and night guards are all worn for various purposes. Despite their similar appearance, they are not the same thing. Retainers are used to maintain your teeth in place following orthodontic treatment, whilst mouthguards are used to protect your teeth from injury during sports. Mouthguards are flexible plastic mouthpieces that protect the jaw and teeth during sports and physical exercise. Night guards, on the other hand, are firmer than mouthguards and are designed for individuals who clench or grind their teeth at night. Nightguards protect the teeth and jaw from grinding-related pain and injury.
The Snö team is happy to assist with all your questions. To inquire about retainers in Abu Dhabi, contact Snö Dental Clinics in Abu Dhabi on 800-DENTIST.
