You have done your office visits, worn and taken care of your braces the way you were supposed to, and you finally have the smile you have always dreamed of! Now what? Your orthodontic journey is certainly going to be easier, but it is not completely over. Now, it is time for a retainer to make sure that your perfect new smile stays perfect. Keep reading to learn more about your retainers and how they keep your smile straight.
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is an orthodontic appliance that is made especially for you from plastic and wires. After your braces are off, models of your new smile will be made to create a custom-fitting retainer. The wire of the retainer slips over your teeth comfortably while the plastic part fits next to the roof of your mouth. A retainer’s job is to help keep your teeth from shifting.
Why Do I Need a Retainer?
Our teeth can move and shift over time – in fact, it can happen for the rest of our lives! There are many different factors that can cause teeth to move out of the perfect placement that your braces have achieved. Growing is the number one reason that teeth may move, but decay, injury, and other factors can also lead to teeth shifting. Whatever the cause of teeth moving might be, your retainer helps to keep that from happening.
How Often Should I Wear My Retainer?
How often a person should wear their retainer really depends on the patient. Just like no two patients’ orthodontic journeys are exactly the same, no retainer plans are exactly the same either. Dr. Aimee Skelton will be able to tell you exact instructions for how long and how often your retainer should be worn. To make sure that your teeth don’t shift and affect your smile, you will most likely need to wear your retainer for some period of time for the rest of your life. The good news is that the frequency can decrease as you age. Another plus is that now there are permanent retainers that you don’t have to take in and out. Be sure to ask Dr. Skelton if you are a good candidate for one.
What Happens if I Don’t Wear My Retainer
If you don’t wear your retainer as directed there is a very good chance that your teeth will shift. Not only can this permanently undo some of the work that your braces have done, but it can make your retainer fit tightly and uncomfortably. Even just one week of not wearing your retainer as directed is enough to make your teeth move. This does not mean that your teeth will go back to the way that they were before braces. But, it can be a noticeable difference in appearance.
Questions?
As always, our entire Skelton Orthodontic team is here to help you throughout your orthodontic journey – whether you are in braces or out of them. Our goal is to create lifelong healthy and happy smiles. If you ever have a question about how to wear your retainer, let us know. Also – accidents happen! If you break or lose your retainer or it starts to feel like it is fitting too tightly, give us a call. The sooner we can get those issues taken care of, the better.