Yes! Your retainer matters. Our Temple PA orthodontist assures you that if your retainer was trivial, our orthodontic office in Temple would never bother prescribing them. Your retainer may seem like a chore, but it is doing the important task of ensuring your smile remains beautiful forever.
Just like it took gradual progress to move your teeth into the desired position through braces or Invisalign, your teeth will continue to gradually move even after your orthodontic treatment. Our orthodontist in Temple PA knows how much dedication was devoted to your original orthodontia, and a retainer will protect against reversal.
Our Temple orthodontist usually recommends that you wear your retainer the most consistently after the first year of having your braces or Invisalign removed. Wearing a retainer immediately after this period of orthodontia will allow your jaw and tissues to further acclimate and settle into the desired position. The length each patient must wear their retainer does vary; however, in that first year it is usually recommended to wear it at all times, excluding meals. After the first year, our Temple orthodontist says that you may be eligible to transition to only wearing your retainer at night.
There are three primary types of retainers. Our 5-star orthodontist in Temple prescribes them on a case-by-case basis.
Fixed retainers are cemented to the backs of your teeth and cannot be removed.
You are probably most familiar with this kind of removable retainer. Hawley retainers are molded to your mouth and held in place with a wire that goes around the teeth.
Also known as an Essix retainer, these are made of clear plastic to give the look that you are not even wearing a retainer.
If remembering to wear your retainer is step one to protecting your brilliant smile, remembering to clean your retainer is step two. Bacteria and debris love to buildup in your retainer, so be sure to regularly clean yours. You can clean your retainer with vinegar water, denture cleaning tablets, or even clear dish soap. If you have trouble remembering to clean your retainer try setting reminders on your calendar or phone.
If you have any more questions about how your retainer will help to protect your smile, feel free to call our orthodontic office in Temple PA or schedule an appointment!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact Spark Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office location near Temple PA, by clicking here or by calling 610.865.2777.
Get The Smile You've Always Dreamed Of!
Spark Orthodontics can help you or your loved one achieve a smile that benefits dental health as much as it increases confidence. However, we want you to feel confident that your choice in orthodontist is the right one. Follow the steps below and get that smile you have always dreamed of.
