Orthodontic Retainer: Everything You Need To Know
Wearing a retainer during an orthodontic treatment is a common and essential practice because not wearing retainers can cause improper positioning of the teeth. This brings us to the need and the importance that the orthodontic retainer holds during and after the patient’s treatment. A large number of patients tend to remove the retainer soon as the treatment is over. Nonetheless, this is not the ideal thing to do.
To understand better, let’s study more about orthodontics retainer and why you should wear it.
What are Orthodontic Retainers?
A retainer helps your teeth maintain a firm position both pre and post-treatment. You are at risk of major damage to your dental structure if you are not wearing your retainer when required. There are two different types of retainers: removable and fixed. The choice of the type of retainer that the patient must wear is decided by the Masri Orthodontist in Livonia.However, fixed retainers are mostly used when the teeth have or are likely to move from their original place and need to be held back to its position, something more common among adult patients or severely crowded teeth to start with.
How To Keep The Retainer Maintained?
Your role with braces isn’t just limited to putting them on as per the treatment but you must also ensure that it is in good condition. In case you are not aware of how to take care of your retainer, here are some of the basic tips that you should follow:
- The first and most crucial step is regular cleaning of the retainer to prevent it from coming in contact with any type of bacteria or germs. You should carry out cleaning every week.
- Furthermore, if you are not wearing the retainer ensure that you do not place in anywhere else other than its case. This will not only keep the external dirt away, but it also reduces the chances of the retainer getting damaged.
- After obtaining your retainer in Michigan, always remember that it is never to be kept in hot water or anywhere near heat such as the sun, next to hot utensils, hair tools, etc. It is possible that the retainer will break as a result of this.
- Pets and in particular dogs enjoy the smell of the retainer, and will try hard to get to them and chew them even if they are placed inside the box, so protect your investment and keep them away from your lovely pets.
- A fixed retainer, is an appliance which cannot be removed. The patient must ensure to floss it frequently and keep a water flosser if they choose to.
How Long Do I Have To Wear It?
Once the braces you have are removed or orthodontic treatment is complete, the question is how long will you must to wear the retainers. The exact duration up to which a patient has to wear a retainer depends on the orthodontic treatment one is going through. The general rule is that a large portion of the population will have shifting regardless if they had orthodontic treatment or if they did not. Masri Orthodontics recommends night time retention indefinitely to ensure long term stability and the protection of your financial investment if you went through orthodontic treatment.
Final Words
In case, you are up for anorthodontic treatment, please ensure that you gain enough knowledge about it and the importance of orthodontic retainers.