How Long Do You Need to Use a Retainer After Braces?

You might have to wear a retainer for a while when your orthodontic treatment is over. These treatments are designed to deal with teeth alignment issues like crooked teeth, underbites, and overbites. Metal braces have historically been the most commonly used orthodontic device, but clear aligners and clear braces are slowly becoming the new standard.

Orthodontic treatment often takes anywhere from six months to a couple of years, but those with severe alignment issues might have to wear braces for up to four years. In order to better explain why retainers are necessary after getting orthodontic treatments, we must first take a look at how braces work.

How braces work

Braces are used to deal with a variety of teeth and jaw alignment issues. These issues can lead to complications like difficulty chewing or speaking, gum disease, and tooth decay. Traditional metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners might look completely different from one another, but they all work using the same principle; the device puts a constant force on the person's teeth, which slowly moves them into their proper position over a period of time. The more severe the orthodontic issue is, the longer the length of treatment.

How retainers work

A retainer is a dental device that helps to keep a person's teeth properly aligned after orthodontic treatments. Teeth need time to settle into the bone structures and soft tissue that hold them in place after orthodontic treatment, and a retainer ensures they stay properly aligned while they do that. If retainers are not used, it is possible for the person's teeth to shift back to their original position.

The different kinds of retainers

There are two main types of retainers used by dentists: fixed and removable.

Fixed retainers

As the name implies, fixed retainers are kept in place for a specific length of time, and they cannot be removed by the wearer. They are typically cemented to the person's teeth. Only a dentist can take those out. Fixed retainers are a good option for children who might not have the discipline to wear retainers as recommended.

Removable retainers

These types of retainers can be easily taken out for meals or cleaning sessions. They need to be worn for most of the day for a year after treatment. The patient might need to wear it for an additional period of time afterward, depending on the severity of the orthodontic issue that was fixed. If the patient's teeth show little movement after the orthodontic treatment is completed, the dentist might only require them to wear the retainer when they go to bed.

Frequently asked questions about retainers

Need retainers to keep the results of your teeth straightening treatments? Let us go over the answers to some of the questions you might have:

1. Why is my dentist recommending wearing a retainer?

You might not be pleased with the idea of having to deal with another oral appliance after wearing braces or clear aligners for years. Dentists recommend wearing retainers after teeth straightening treatments to keep your teeth in their new position.

Teeth often start shifting back to their initial positions after completing teeth straightening treatments. It is a gradual process that often does not become obvious until a few years have passed. It is almost guaranteed that a patient’s teeth will eventually return to their original positions when retainers are not used after straightening teeth. There goes all the money invested in improving the alignment of your teeth.

Retainers allow you to retain the results of your teeth straightening treatments. Patients typically have to use them for a few years, but some might need to wear retainers for the rest of their lives.

2. What do retainers look like?

A traditional retainer is designed to look like the top of a person’s mouth. It fits into the grooves on the roof of a person’s mouth, and its shape prevents it from hindering the function of the mouth and tongue. The part of a retainer that fits on the roof of the mouth is typically made out of plastic, and a metal bar that fits across the patient’s front teeth is attached to it. There are usually two other pieces attached to it to anchor the retainer against the patient’s molars. 

Retainers allow you to keep the results of your orthodontic treatment

Wearing a retainer allows you to get the most out of orthodontic treatments. Thanks to your retainer, your teeth will remain properly aligned long after your treatment is over. Dealing with orthodontic issues? Visit our Long Beach office for a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://paramountdentalspecialty.com or call Paramount Dental Care & Specialty at (562) 450-1261 for an appointment in our Long Beach office.

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