ORTHODONTIC RETENTION
YOU'VE WORKED HARD FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE; KEEP IT THAT WAY!
Congratulations on achieving a beautiful, straight smile after having your braces removed! However, your orthodontic journey isn't quite finished. To ensure your smile maintains its optimal appearance, you will need to wear a retainer. Retainers are essential in preserving and stabilizing your results. They help control and prevent potential changes in tooth position that may occur after braces treatment. By wearing a retainer, your teeth are held in their correct alignment while the surrounding gums, bone, and muscles adapt to the new positioning. This allows for long-term success and helps maintain the benefits of your orthodontic treatment.
TYPES OF RETAINERS
Retainers are custom-made and can be removable or fixed.
Traditional removable retainers typically feature a metal wire surrounding the front teeth and an acrylic arch in the roof of the mouth, allowing for adjustments and minor movement if needed.
Aligner-style retainers, also known as Essix retainers, are clear and resemble transparent aligners, providing a more visually appealing alternative to wire retainers. This clear retainer can either cover the entire arch of your teeth or be designed as a clip-on retainer, which extends from canine to canine.
PROS AND CONS
Removable retainers can be taken out for eating and oral hygiene routines.
It's important to keep removable retainers in their case to prevent loss.
Fixed retainers are a convenient option as they do not need to be removed or tracked.
Extra care is required to clean teeth with fixed retainers, using floss threaders to reach small spaces.