A retainer is designed to keep teeth in position where previous braces or aligners moved them.to maintain results, retainers must be worn according to guidelines set by your orthodontist.
They are custom-made orthodontic appliances that are designed to hold the teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment. If they are not worn as instructed by your orthodontist, the teeth will regain its original position.
It is vitally important to understand that it takes time for a mouth to ‘learn’ the new positioning of their aligned teeth once braces are removed. While some minor changes to the bite and TOOTH ALIGNMENT after treatment are normal, wearing a retainer for as long as your orthodontist recommends is the best way to ensure their teeth stay healthy and straight for years to come.
There are two types of retainer – fixed and removable.
Some patients are recommended a permanent fixed orthodontic retainer (a thin wire placed behind the front upper and/or lower teeth that it is completely invisible)
while others are encouraged to wear their removable plastic orthodontic retainer for as long as possible.
Keep it safe: When the retainer is not being worn, it should always be kept safe in its container so it won’t be damaged or lost. Wrapping it in a napkin or tissue isn’t a good idea as it’s more likely to get lost or accidentally thrown away.
Wear it Forever: Normally, you will have to wear your retainer all day, every day for a year. It usually takes this long for your teeth to stabilize after braces, so you want to make sure they stay in the correct position with your retainer.
Remove it Before Eating: Although you should be wearing your retainer all day, every day, you can to take it out any time you eat. This makes it easier for you to able to eat any food you want and not damage your retainer.
This will also keep it cleaner as foods and plaque can get stuck in your retainer. These can cause bacteria to grow if not cleaned properly, so you want to be sure to brush your teeth before putting your retainer back in.
Keep away from heat: Most retainers are made of plastic, or have some plastic elements in them, so you want to make sure to keep them away from any heat sources. Heat melts plastic, so be aware of where you place your retainer when it’s not in your mouth.
Use Protective Case: When you take your retainer out, ensure you should always put it in its protective case that it came in from your orthodontist’s office. This keeps you from losing it or putting it somewhere unsanitary.
