Congratulations! You have finally gotten your braces off. Now you need to learn a little bit about retainers. Retainers are used to keep your teeth in place after you get your braces off. They do not push and form your teeth like braces, but instead just acts as a binder to make sure your teeth don’t shift back to their original state. It takes almost a year for the periodontal ligaments to solidify in their new positions once the braces have been removed. Remember to always listen to what your orthodontist tells you because if you don’t wear your retainer your teeth may shift back.
Types of Retainers
There are two types of retainers available, permanent and removable. There are two types of removable retainers, Hawley retainers and Essix retainers. Removable retainers are great because you can take them out to brush your teeth or floss. However, their biggest asset is also their biggest flaw, you can lose these retainers very easily.
Hawley retainers are made of bendable wire and acrylic or plastic. There is a front wire that goes in front of your teeth while the acrylic or plastic is molded to the top of your mouth.
Pro: A great thing about these retainers for kids is that they come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding a little flair to their mouth.
Pro: They are also useful for orthodontists because they are adjustable, making it easier for your orthodontist to adjust your teeth after braces.
Pro: They are less likely to be replaced due to their more rugged construction.
Con: This retainer is very noticeable and may cause a lisp when you first start to wear it.
Essix retainers are clear plastics that are molded to your teeth like a very thin mouthguard.
Pro: They are virtually invisible on your teeth.
Pro: While Essix retainers can affect your speech, it is usually less than Hawley retainers.
Con: They are quite fragile. They can develop holes or cracks easily and are more likely to bend and ruin their shape.
There is only one type of permanent retainer, called a permanent bonded retainer. This is a permanent retainer because it never leaves your mouth. It is glued to your teeth. These retainers are usually only used on the bottom six teeth in the middle of your mouth. They can be used on your top teeth but this is rare because it can cause difficult biting.
Pro: This retainer is invisible to other people.
Pro: You cannot forget to put on your retainer and your teeth are therefore less likely to shift back.
Con: It may cut or bother your tongue and is difficult to floss.
It is very important to keep your retainers clean, no matter what kind of retainer you have. If you are unsure what type of retainer will work best for you, call your orthodontist. Many orthodontists have personal preferences on which retainer believe yields the best results. Braces are expensive, you don’t want to repeat the process, so make sure you get the right kind the first time. Call Dr. Reed for an appointment today at 412-421-8565.
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