Putting on a retainer to ensure your teeth remain straight and in place enables you to maintain the results from the Invisalign or braces that you previously had. In Brooklyn retainers are used by many. They can be either removable, fixed, or both types of retainers to ensure your teeth remain in their straight position.
What are retainers?
Retainers are orthopedic devices that hold your teeth in position and prevent them from shifting out of place after having an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or braces. Some are supposed to remain in your mouth permanently and are referred to as fixed retainers. Fixed retainers typically consist of a wire that is cemented to the back of your mouth and only the dentist can remove them for you. Another type of retainer is removable so you only wear it when it is convenient. At other times, the specialist can install fixed retainers on the bottom teeth and removable ones on the top row of your teeth. Two types of removable retainers are known to exist. They are as follows:
Clear plastic retainers
Clear plastic retainers are custom made using a mold of your teeth. They fit perfectly over teeth, just like Invisalign aligners, and are rarely visible to others when you smile. Clear plastic aligners are also very comfortable; thus, they do not cause any alteration to your speech.
Hawley retainers
They are retainers that consist of plastic parts and an attached wire. The plastic part fits against the top or roof of your mouth while the wire runs along with the front teeth. The doctor can also switch them quickly if they do not fit appropriately or make it difficult for you to speak.
Why do you need a retainer?
A retainer is required to prevent your teeth from merging back to their original position of being misaligned. It is a problem that can occur even years after completing your orthodontic treatment. Therefore most specialists will encourage you to keep them for the rest of your life to ensure your teeth remain in a straight position. You are also advised to make regular checkups to the facility to ensure that your teeth are not shifting and are comfortable. In case your retainers are not comfortable, the specialist can adjust them to ensure they fit more comfortably or make you new clear plastic retainers if it becomes misshapen or breaks.
How To Care For Retainers
Caring for retainers is very simple because it is similar to how one cares for other oral appliances. The key to caring for your retainers and teeth only involves maintaining oral hygiene. Your care provider may recommend taking the retainer out when eating, soaking it in water intermittently, brushing it gently to clean it daily, keeping it in its case when you take it out, and continuing flossing and brushing your teeth.
It is easier to maintain a fixed retainer because it does not require additional maintenance other than simply brushing and flossing your teeth. A unique tool is always given to you to enable you to weave the floss in between your gum line and retainer.
If you have some problems with your retainers, visit or call Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics today for more information on various types available and how to care for them. You can also start looking for a dentist in Shrewsbury MA if you live in the area.
