Retention and the Importance of Retainers
When you have finished your orthodontic treatment, the retention phase is important to hold your result. When you commit to orthodontic treatment, you should also be ready to commit to wearing retainers that will be important to hold your teeth in their final placement.
Retainers keep teeth in place as the position of our lips, cheeks, tongue and soft tissues change as we get age. Without retainers, the changes in soft tissues can change the position of our teeth. Teeth also have a tendency to move back to their old position because of the fibres in our gums. After all the work of orthodontic treatment, you don’t want to lose your new exceptional smile!
By wearing your retainers as instructed by your Orthodontist, you can avoid having to undergo another round of orthodontic treatment.
Types of Retainers
Orthodontic retainers come in two types: fixed and removable. Removable retainers, as the name suggests, can be taken out when you eat or brush your teeth. Fixed retainers are permanently affixed to select teeth and can only be removed by your orthodontist or a qualified professional.
Some of the more common retainers used today are:
Hawley Retainers, which consist of a plastic base that matches the shape of your mouth. A wire that wraps around your teeth, keeping them in place, is connected to the base.
Essix Retainers are made of clear plastic, which some patients prefer, because they are nearly invisible to most people. Unfortunately, the life span of Essix retainers is shorter than that of Hawley retainers.
This retainer consists mostly of a customized wire that sits behind your teeth and is attached to your back teeth with a composite, bonding material. The wire should remain on your teeth and only be removed by an orthodontist. A fixed/permanent retainer will keep your teeth in proper position as you age.