Wear Retainers Forever?
After you finish your orthodontic treatment and your teeth are straightened, you’ll need to use retainers. These are custom-made devices that maintain the alignment of your teeth. They prevent your teeth from moving back to their original positions. This is important because teeth have a “memory” and can shift back if not held in place.
You should wear retainers for a lifetime, ideally a few nights a week. They are available in a variety of forms, each functioning in a unique way. Let us explore the methods for utilizing them.
Orthodontic Retainer Care Guide
Once your braces are removed, it’s crucial to wear your retainers. They help maintain the tooth movement achieved by wearing braces.
One type of retainer you might use is a fixed retainer. It’s designed to keep your teeth in their new, properly aligned position. This prevents your teeth from shifting back, ensuring they stay straight.
Remember, retainers are a lifelong commitment if you desire to maintain that perfect smile!
Hawley Removable Retainers
Hawley retainers, an orthodontic appliance, are made of acrylic and metal wire. They are custom-made to fit snugly behind your top teeth. You can remove this retainer for meals, drinks, brushing your teeth, and cleaning the retainer case.
After your treatment to straighten teeth is complete, you wear the Hawley retainer all the time for several months. Orthodontists usually recommend this for 6-9 months. During this period, you remove it for meals, drinks (except water), and dental hygiene.
After this, you only need to wear the retainer during the night. If your orthodontist agrees, you can reduce this to 4-5 nights a week. But, you should continue to wear the retainer a few nights forever for proper care.
Hawley retainers are sturdy and last several years but will need replacement eventually. If it breaks or gets lost, you’ll need a new one. Your orthodontist can fit you for a new one in the office.
They can also adjust and repair the Hawley retainer if it becomes misshapen or ill-fitting. This is because Hawley retainers are easier to repair than other appliances.
Clear Removable Retainers
Clear plastic retainers fit snugly over your teeth. They are provided in two separate trays, one for the upper teeth and one for the lower teeth. They are transparent and nearly invisible when worn. Unlike Hawley retainers, clear retainers don’t involve metal, making them more comfortable and less bulky.
In the world of dental health, there are various types of retainers. They play a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. Two popular types of clear plastic retainers are Essix and Vivera.
You’ll wear the retainers full-time, day and night, for a few months, removing only for meals and to brush teeth and clean the retainers. The exact length depends on your orthodontist or dentist’s recommendation.
These retainers work in a similar fashion, but they have their unique characteristics. You need to wear these retainers all the time for a few months. The only times you remove them are during meals and when you need to clean your teeth and the retainers.
The exact duration of wearing these retainers depends on the advice of your orthodontist or dentist. They will guide you based on your specific dental needs. Remember, the “Types of retainers and how they work” can vary, but the goal is always to ensure the longevity of your orthodontic results.
After a few months, you start wearing the retainers only at night. After about a year, your orthodontist may allow you to wear them every few nights, about 4-5 nights a week.
Clear retainers don’t last forever and need replacement eventually. If your retainer breaks, visit your orthodontist immediately.
Creating a fresh pair of plastic retainers is a straightforward process. A quick replacement prevents potential shifting. Your orthodontist may give you several sets of clear retainers at once.
Keep your clear retainers clean and protected in their case when not worn. This helps them last longer.
Several types of clear plastic retainers exist. Vivera retainers, made by Invisalign, last longer than Essix retainers. Vivera retainers cost more but come in a package deal of 4-8. They offer a superior fit and enhanced durability, making them a worthwhile investment.
In conclusion, when comparing clear plastic vs. Hawley vs. permanent bonded retainers, clear plastic retainers effectively hold your teeth in their new position. They are a great choice for maintaining your smile.
Permanent Bonded Retainers
Orthodontic treatment often involves the use of a retainer. Unlike removable retainers, a permanent bonded retainer is glued to the back of your teeth. This retainer ensures lifelong retention after orthodontic treatment. It stays in place, reducing the chance of non-compliance.
There’s no requirement to recall inserting it at night as it’s perpetually in your mouth. A permanent retainer can be bonded to either the top or bottom row of teeth. However, it’s more common and tends to last longer on the bottom teeth.
Bonded retainers are robust. They can last for a long time, sometimes even decades. This durability makes it easy to follow your orthodontist’s instructions.
After your braces or clear aligner treatment is complete, they will install the device. You won’t have to worry about replacing it for several years unless it breaks. If it does break, visit your orthodontist as soon as possible to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Maintaining a permanent bonded retainer requires careful cleaning. Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Use a specialized floss threader to clean under the retainer wire and remove trapped food or debris.
Avoid putting too much pressure on the retainer. Stay away from hard, crunchy foods like carrots or hard candy, or at least avoid biting down on them with your retainer. A water flosser can also keep your retainer, teeth, and gums clean and healthy.
Remember, this retainer consists of a wire bonded to your teeth, designed to stay in place for the rest of your life. A simple, effective way to maintain the gains of your orthodontic treatment for a long time.
