While braces seem like a tedious process to go through, it is completely worth it. Using braces will not only benefit your oral health by making it much easier to brush and floss but will also fix any malocclusion present, eliminating speech impediments, pain from certain jaw movements, and more. Lastly, they will give you the beautiful, perfect smile that everyone looks for.
However, to maintain the results, it’s crucial to use retainers after the treatment. Learn why there are important and for how long you have to use them down below.
Why Do You Have to Wear Retainers After Braces in Centennial?
In short, to keep the beautiful smile you worked hard for for the rest of your life. Orthodontists recommend retainers after orthodontic treatments, such as braces, to keep your teeth and dental structures from shifting back to their original positions.
If you don’t follow your orthodontist’s instructions regarding retainers, your teeth could fall back into misalignment as fast as a few months. Even if they don’t move immediately, your teeth will naturally move with time, even after braces. The constant wear and chewing on your teeth will inevitably cause some undesired shifting unless you keep them in place with your retainer.
Why Do Teeth Relapse and Move Back to Their Original Position?
Whether it is your clear braces Centennial or traditional metal braces, when your orthodontist puts pressure on your teeth during your treatment, your surrounding bones and dental structures weaken, making it possible for the teeth to move to their desired position. Once your orthodontic treatment ends, the bones and structures need time to heal in place fully. If there is nothing to hold them back from shifting, they will recede to their previous position and solidify there.
Only when you use some type of retainer is it possible to hold the teeth and gums in position long enough for the bones and gums to set fully in place? According to Healthline, the time it takes for your teeth to set is around four to six months. This will allow you to maintain that perfect smile for many years into the future.
How Long Does a Patient Have to Wear Retainers After Braces?
While the number of hours you need to wear them during the day will change in the following months after your orthodontic treatment Centennial, you’ll have to use a retainer for the rest of your life if you want to prevent your teeth from moving at all.
Fixed retainers are not a problem, as you won’t have to worry about putting them on or taking them off. Removable retainers, on the other hand, do require some compliance from the orthodontic patient.
At first, your licensed orthodontist may recommend you use your first orthodontic retainer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the first year. Then, they will most likely recommend you only use your removable retainers at night. While it will depend on each case, and you should ask your orthodontist to be sure, using your dental retainer at night will probably be the recommendation to follow for many years.
What Types of Retainers Exist?
Orthodontists usually divide retainers into two classes, removable and permanent retainers. Each of them has its own pros and cons that appeal to each patient differently.
If you are an adult orthodontic patient and know you’ll follow your orthodontist’s instructions, removable retainers may be the best option for you. If you know that patient information compliance will be a problem, permanent retainers may be a better fit.
Here are some examples of both fixed and removable versions of the orthodontic appliance.
Hawley Retainer In Centennial
This is probably the most common type of retainer. It consists of a metal wire that wraps around your upper or lower row of teeth to keep them straight. They attach to an acrylic piece shaped to either the roof of your mouth or the sides of your lower teeth.
They are very used because of their ability to adjust if the orthodontist sees fit. They can last up two a couple of decades if you are careful with them, which is perfect for those who want to continue using the appliance without any extra costs.
Clear Retainers In Centennial
Clear plastic retainers, or vacuum-formed retainers, are clear plastic pieces molded to fit your teeth perfectly. They prevent your teeth from shifting while remaining almost completely invisible. However, it’s not adjustable, it can and will stain with time, and it can make you more prone to cavities if you don’t brush properly.
Permanent Retainers In Centennial
As the name implies, permanent retainers are permanent. You don’t need to worry about them except to make sure there are clean and without food particles accumulating. You can’t lose it, and it can last for many years without any sort of trouble.
Keep Your Results Safe
If you’re looking for Centennial emergency orthodontics or wish to get your retainers Centennial, you are at the perfect place. Here at Sloss & Carpenter Orthodontics, we are more than ready to help you with any orthodontic issue you may have. Just contact us here to schedule your appointment when needed.
