A Custom Retainer Protects Every Bit of Progress You Have Made
The day your braces come off is a big deal in the life of an orthodontic patient. You finally get to see the results of your hard work. However, your orthodontic treatment does not end the moment your braces come off. You need to ensure that your teeth stay in their new positions by undergoing post-orthodontic treatment, which starts with wearing a retainer.
The purpose of an orthodontic retainer is to hold your teeth in their new position after the completion of your orthodontic treatment. It is true that your teeth seem to be in their correct position, but it takes time for your gums, jawbone, and other tissues to adapt to the new position of your teeth. If you do not wear a retainer, your teeth will gradually move back to their original position.
For this reason, Dr. Morrison is careful to inform you of the frequency with which you will need to wear your retainer. These are among the most important actions you can take in maintaining the success of the work that has already been accomplished in your orthodontic treatment. By wearing your retainers in Forney as instructed, you can preserve the alignment of your teeth and the smile you have worked so hard to create.
Wearing retainers is a simple yet critical part of maintaining the success of your orthodontic treatment. By keeping your teeth stable while your mouth readjusts, you can ensure the long-term success of your orthodontic treatment.
Types of Retainers Used After Orthodontic Treatment
There are various retainers to choose from, each with its own advantages depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. Dr. Morrison can assist you in determining which type of orthodontic retainer is best for your individual case.
- Removable Retainers. Retainers come in several varieties. Removable ones, whether wire and acrylic or clear plastic, have the obvious advantage of being removable, making it much easier to clean both the retainers and your teeth. However, that also means you might forget to put them back in — or, worse, lose them after taking them out to eat lunch!
- Non-Removable Retainers. Non-removable or bonded retainers are strips of wire cemented to the backs of the teeth to hold them in their post-braces position. These retainers have the advantage of permanently ensuring that your teeth don’t shift back to their old positions, but they can make flossing between those teeth tricky. If you think you’re likely to forget to wear your retainers, bonded might be the perfect choice for you.
At Forney Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, Dr. Morrison can assist you in determining what type of retainers in Forney would be best for you. If you have any questions about retainers or how to maintain your new smile, we’re always here to assist you with the next step in your orthodontic treatment.
