Why Straight Teeth Need Ongoing Support
If you have completed or are considering orthodontic treatment, you might be wondering what comes next. Every patient’s treatment is different. In most cases, your orthodontist will recommend retainers. These are essential to prevent your teeth from moving back, protecting both your oral health and your orthodontics investment.
Retainers are a key part of dental orthodontics, supporting the teeth-straightening process and protecting long-term results. Here’s what you need to know about retainers.
What Happens To Teeth After Orthodontic Treatment?
When treatment finishes, your teeth look straight, but they aren’t yet settled. Right after treatment, your teeth are not immediately stable in their new position. This is because the surrounding tissues, such as the gums and bone, need time to remodel around the new tooth position to keep them in place.
Without the ongoing support of a retainer, teeth might go back towards their original alignment over time. This process is called “relapse.” It doesn’t mean your treatment has failed. It’s simply the tissues around your teeth pulling them towards where they used to be.
How Do Retainers Work?
Retainers are custom-made devices that keep the teeth in their new, correct position over time while the surrounding tissues adapt. This helps prevent relapse and safeguards your investment in orthodontics.
Fixed Vs Removable Retainers
A retainer is made to fit your teeth exactly as they are at the end of treatment. It holds every tooth in its new position while the surrounding tissues settle, then guards against the slow, natural drift that happens over the years. In short, it protects the time and money you’ve put into straightening your teeth.
- Fixed retainers: these involve a fine wire that is bonded at the back of the teeth to keep them in place. They are often invisible and comfortable, but they require some special attention during your oral care routine.
- Removable retainers: these refer to a custom-made device that fits over your teeth. It can be removed when eating or during specific occasions, but it’s important to remember to wear it as recommended to protect results and avoid relapse.
Your orthodontist will review your specific needs to recommend the best option for your situation.
How Long Do You Need To Wear A Retainer?
The British Orthodontic Society advises that if you want your teeth to stay straight, you should plan to wear a retainer long term. For many people, that means for life. That sounds daunting, but in practice it usually means wearing a removable retainer at night once the first few months are over.
Your orthodontist will give you a schedule to follow. With a removable retainer, you’ll often wear it full-time at first and then move to nights only. A fixed retainer stays in all the time and is checked at your regular appointments.
Whatever your schedule, stick to it. Skipping the odd night, or stopping altogether, is the most common reason teeth start to move again. If your retainer feels tight after a night without it, that’s a sign your teeth have already started to shift, so get back into the routine straight away.
Looking After Your Retainer
A little daily care keeps your retainer fitting well and your mouth healthy:
- Clean a removable retainer every day with a soft toothbrush and cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can warp the plastic.
- Avoid toothpaste on clear retainers, as it can scratch and cloud them.
- Keep it in its case whenever it’s out of your mouth. A retainer wrapped in a napkin is easily thrown away by mistake.
- Clean carefully around a fixed retainer every day, using a floss threader or interdental brush.
- Bring your retainer to your check-ups so we can make sure it still fits.
- Ask your dentist or orthodontist to show you how to clean your type of retainer properly.
What If Your Retainer Is Lost Or No Longer Fits?
If your retainer is lost, damaged, or no longer fits comfortably, it is essential to avoid forcing it in place. Contact your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible: they will be able to provide you with a suitable replacement and ensure that your dental care is uninterrupted.
Contact Sharrow Dental For Professional Orthodontic Advice
If you are looking to learn more about what to expect after a dental orthodontics treatment, or you are exploring your retainer options, get in touch with the team at Sharrow Dental. We are here to help you keep your new smile for the long term.
