Dental retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment. You must wear a retainer if you wish to keep your straighter smile after finishing your treatment. Without it, there is a risk that all your hard work could be wasted.
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A retainer is an orthodontic device that will keep your teeth in their proper places and the correct alignment for years to come, provided you wear it as recommended. It is custom-made to fit your teeth precisely, helping retain them in their new positions.
During orthodontic treatment, your teeth shift into new positions, including your tooth roots. For your teeth roots to move, they need to move through the jawbone surrounding them, so after you finish wearing braces or aligners, these tooth roots are held less securely in place.
It takes time for the bone to remodel again around your tooth roots. Until new bone growth occurs, there is a risk that your teeth will simply shift back to their previous locations. Even biting and chewing food could cause unwanted tooth movements. Your gums and facial muscles must also get used to the new tooth positions.
While braces straighten your teeth, retainers will retain them in their proper places, preventing them from moving back to their previous locations.
There are two types of retainers as they can be fixed, so they are bonded onto your teeth or removable so you can take them out.
You may only need one type of retainer that could be fixed or removable. However, in certain circumstances, we may recommend using both to help keep your teeth straight.
Fixed retainers are also called permanent retainers. We fit these retainers onto your teeth after the completion of orthodontic treatment. They generally consist of a thin wire that is bonded onto your teeth.
A fixed retainer can be used on the front upper or lower teeth to prevent them from shifting position over time.
Removable retainers can be taken out and replaced in your mouth as needed. There are two main types available. The most traditional is a Hawley retainer, while another popular type is an Essix retainer. There are also Invisalign retainers.
A Hawley retainer has an acrylic base with wires attached that are custom-designed to fit around your teeth. These wires fit across your front teeth, retaining them in place. The retainer is held in place with wires, called Adam’s cribs, that fit around your back teeth.
You can have a Hawley retainer on your upper or lower teeth.
This removable retainer is made from clear plastic and has no wires. It looks like a clear plastic tooth-whitening tray or a clear aligner. Unlike an aligner tray, it won’t move your teeth; instead, it is custom-designed to hold them in place. An Essix retainer can be fitted over your upper or lower teeth.
The main difference between these two retainers is their visibility in the mouth. A Hawley retainer is slightly more visible, thanks to the wire fitting across your front teeth. An Essix retainer is more discreet and trickier to see.
Both are equally effective and reliable. Both are removable and must be taken out for meals. Your choice may be down to your preference, although Essix retainers are extremely popular amongst people who have received Invisalign treatment or have used another clear aligner system.
Invisalign retainers are basically Essix retainers, except they are made from Invisalign’s proprietary materials and are called Vivera retainers. When you have a retainer after Invisalign, it will look just like an ordinary aligner tray.
The process for making a retainer will depend on the type we recommend.
A fixed retainer is a metal wire that is bonded onto your teeth. To fit the retainer we must measure the wire and ensure it is closely adapted to fit around your teeth before bonding it in place.
Making and fitting a fixed retainer is a little more intricate since we can do this chairside. However, it does mean you only need one appointment since it doesn’t need to be made in a dental laboratory.
There are three steps to making a removable retainer.
Initially, you must wear your retainer full-time, usually for at least 4 to 6 months. After this, you can gradually reduce your wearing time, and we will discuss this with you more closely so you know when to begin doing it. However, you will still need to wear your tooth retainer at night, at least part-time, preferably for the rest of your life.
If you have a fixed retainer, this isn’t a problem; the retainer will remain permanently in place until it is removed sometime in the future. The removal date will depend on your circumstances and the degree of teeth straightening originally needed.
If you fail to wear your retainers, your teeth will begin moving. It’s perfectly normal for teeth to shift over time. However, it will mean they become misaligned and crooked, so we recommend occasionally wearing your retainers for life.
Your retainer will not straighten your teeth as it isn’t designed to apply constant pressure onto teeth, forcing them to move.
If you forget to wear your retainers, you may notice that your teeth have shifted slightly. Wearing your retainer again will help push them back into the proper positions. While this happens, you may feel some minor discomfort, which will only work if you forget to wear your retainer in the short term.
If you already have a retainer and it has begun to fit less comfortably, it could mean your teeth have shifted. In this case, we might be able to adjust it to fit properly, but it may need to be remade.
Eventually, your retainer will need replacing as it ages, but with the right care, it should last for some time since they are all made from strong, durable materials.
When you visit our orthodontic office for teeth straightening, we can discuss retainers with you in more detail since they are an important part of your treatment. We can review the various types available and which would fit best with your lifestyle.
