Retainers
WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY WEAR THEM?
Retainers Cheltenham
Orthodontic treatments form a beautiful and straighter smile, while retainers maintain better oral hygiene long after the braces are removed.
Retainers are most commonly used to maintain straightened teeth after any orthodontic treatment.
The benefits of wearing their retainers properly go beyond that.
But most of the time, the hardest part of wearing new retainers is keeping and cleaning them.
The Benefit of Retainers
Wearing retainers to maintain straightened teeth is most common during the last phase of orthodontic treatment.
After the dental braces, the teeth may move back to their original position — wearing retainers overnight help maintain the position of your newly straightened teeth.
Getting Used to Retainers
Wearing retainers properly and keeping them safe is not that easy, especially with kids.
But knowing the benefit of retainers and how to make sure your child gets accustomed to wearing their retainers will help them experience the process stress-free – and higher marks from your Cheltenham dentist.
Once the orthodontic treatment is completed, maintaining your straightened teeth starts by wearing retainers.
This will go a long way towards keeping the perfect bite and smile formed over the years of treatment.
Retainer-Making Procedure
Retainers are usually made by the dentist who did the orthodontic treatment.
Your dentist takes moulds or impressions of the newly straightened teeth and makes the retainer from wire and/or acrylic materials. The retainer is then tested during the next appointment.
For most cases, retainers must be worn for several months, if not indefinitely.
Types of Retainers
Fixed Retainers
A thin wire is worn across the back of the upper/lower front teeth, which is fixed on with a bonding agent.
Since this reaches several teeth, a floss threader must be used to achieve the spaces between the teeth, which is similar to how people with braces floss.
This may take a little more work to keep clean, but it has the best result because the bonded wire holds the straightened teeth in position.
Removable Retainers
A combination of a wire going across the upper/lower front teeth and hooks that insert in and around the back teeth to secure the retainer in place.
Since it is removable, it is easier to clean your teeth every day.
Initially, your Cheltenham dentist will ask you to wear it for 24 hours for at least three months; if no movement is seen, you may be instructed to wear the retainer only at night or for a few hours during the daytime.
Your Cheltenham dentist will recommend the best type for you based on your preferences and needs.
You will likely be wearing and maintaining your retainer for many months, so it is important that you have the type that works best for you and that you’ll use as instructed.
Retainers in Cheltenham
Dentist On Warrigal Cheltenham provides high-quality orthodontic retainers out of durable and non-invasive materials.
For more information about retainers in Cheltenham, contact us on (03) 9583 5506 or request your appointment online.
We are located at Suite C, 151 Centre Dandenong Road in Cheltenham.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do retainers last?
If cared for properly, retainers should last for at least two years, if not longer.