After you’ve finished your orthodontic treatment and the braces are removed, you might assume that that’s the end of it and you don’t need to worry about your teeth any further. But this is not recommended; instead, we highly recommend you make use of retainers.
Teeth will continue to move, even after a full treatment course to straighten them. To prevent this from happening, a simple retainer can be used to hold the teeth in position. These retainers don’t need to be uncomfortable or obvious, and there’s a couple of different options, depending on your needs. Some people will need fixed retainers, while others will be able to use a removable option.
The three main kinds of retainers are: a clear hard plastic retainer, a removable plate with wires and clasps, and a fixed wire retainer which will be cemented or bonded behind the front teeth. Obviously the later one will not be removable, but the other options have been designed to be taken out if you need to (for example, to flash your perfect smile for a photograph).
There are pros and cons to removable retainers. The pros are;
– Removable retainers tend to be more discreet. They can be taken out, and the clear plastic option isn’t noticeable even at a glance.
– The clear plastic option also has the benefit of helping you to stop clenching or grinding teeth, which can lead to additional dental work required.
The cons are;
– Because they’re removable, the temptation will be to leave them out, but that can lead to teeth shifting again, and requiring a new set of braces installed. It’s surprisingly common for people to forget to use their retainer!
– Because they’re removable, the risk of them getting damaged is greater, requiring a new pair to be made.
Regardless of which retainer you use, initially, you’ll want to use the retainer at all times (even if you’re using a removable one, for the first three months after the braces come off. Your orthodontist will monitor your progress, and if there has been no movement of the teeth, you’ll be able to transition to wearing the retainer at night only.
The best place to get your dental retainer, Parramatta
At Parramatta Dental Studio we provide you with an upper and a lower retainer once your braces have been removed so you can keep your smile straight.
When you come for your check up and cleaning appointments we check the fit of the dental retainer plates for you as well as ensure that any fixed retainer is still bonded in place.
We also do repairs and replacements of any existing dental retainer plates and wires as well, sometimes repairs can even be completed on the same day (because time is of the essence in ensuring that the retainer is keeping your teeth straight). Please call one of our friendly staff on 9633 9835 to arrange a time for the dentist to assess your retainer.