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.
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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 Kathleen C. Hwang Orthodontics at 626-425-9986 for an appointment in our Monrovia office.
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