After months or even a year or so of wearing braces, you finally get to experience the joy of having a straight, beautiful smile. But before you start showing off your new look, there’s one crucial step that you can’t skip: wearing a retainer. Retainers play a vital role in ensuring that your teeth stay in their new positions after braces come off. Let’s take a closer look at why retainers are so essential after braces treatment and why wearing them as prescribed by your orthodontist is key to maintaining your smile.
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is a custom-made device that is designed to hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after orthodontic treatment. There are two main types of retainers: removable and fixed.
Removable Retainers: These are plastic or clear devices that fit over the teeth. They can be taken out when eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth. These are the retainers Dr. Tewes most commonly uses.
Fixed Retainers: These are small wires that are permanently bonded to the back of your teeth, typically on the lower front teeth. They are used for long-term retention and in specific cases.
Dr. Tewes will determine which type of retainer is best suited for your needs based on the movement your teeth have undergone.
Why Are Retainers Important?
When you complete your braces treatment, your teeth may look perfectly aligned, but they are not yet stable in their new positions. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift over time, and the bone around your teeth takes months or even years to fully adjust to the new alignment. Wearing a retainer is necessary to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original positions. Click here for some tips on keeping your retainer clean and pristine!
Here are the top reasons why retainers are essential:
- Preventing Teeth Shifting: Even though braces have successfully moved your teeth into their new positions, the bones and tissues around your teeth are still adjusting. Without a retainer to hold them in place, your teeth may begin to shift back to their original
position. This is especially common in the first few months after braces removal, which is why wearing a retainer
consistently is critical during this time. - Maintaining Your Results: Retainers are essential for maintaining the results of your orthodontic treatment. Once your teeth have been moved into alignment, your orthodontist uses a retainer to “set” them in place, ensuring that your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Without proper retention, you risk undoing the progress you’ve made with your braces.
- Minimizing the Need for Additional Orthodontic Work: If you don’t wear your retainer as instructed, your teeth can shift back, leading to misalignment and potentially requiring additional orthodontic treatment down the road. Consistent retainer use helps prevent this, saving you time, money, and the hassle of further orthodontic work.
- Keeping Your Smile Beautiful: Retainers also help you maintain that straight, confident smile that you worked so hard to achieve. It’s important to keep your teeth stable so that your smile continues to look as good as it did the day you got your braces off. Regular retainer wearing ensures that you continue to enjoy the benefits of your orthodontic treatment for years to come.
How Long Should You Wear Your Retainer?
The length of time you need to wear your retainer depends on several factors, including how much your teeth were shifted during treatment and your orthodontist’s recommendations. At Pioneer Orthodontics, Dr. Tewes advises wearing a retainer full-time for the first 2 months to a year after braces are removed. This means day and night. After that period is completed, Dr. Tewes recommends “Night-Time, Lifetime”, meaning wearing them every night for life.
It is important to follow your orthodontist’s specific instructions on retainer wear, as this will ensure the best results.
Conclusion
Retainers are an essential part of the orthodontic process. Without them, you risk losing the progress you made with braces and may even have to undergo additional treatment. By wearing your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist, you’ll ensure that your teeth stay in their new positions and that your beautiful smile lasts for years to come.
If you have any questions about retainers or how to care for them, don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist. They’ll guide you through the retention phase and help you maintain the smile you’ve worked so hard for!