An orthodontic retainer is a custom dental device that holds teeth fixed after active orthodontic treatment, like braces or clear aligners. Retainers come in clear plastic and wired forms and stop natural tendencies of teeth to revert to their original position, a phenomenon called relapse. Wearing your retainer consistently is an essential last step in your orthodontic process, as it helps you to maintain the investment in your beautiful and healthy smile.
Different kinds of retainers are available, such as discrete, clear, and durable traditional retainers to fit your lifestyle and needs. We can assist you if you have doubts about your orthodontic treatment at SoCal Dental Care in North Hollywood. Schedule a consultation with our experienced dentists today and learn how retainers help you to maintain the investment in your beautiful and healthy smile.
Why Retainers Are Crucial Parts of Your Orthodontic Treatment
Removing your braces or completing your aligner treatment is a huge milestone, but that is not the end. You have the sensation of having smooth, unobstructed teeth, but the effort to retain your new smile is now at a critical stage called retention. In this phase, retainers’ importance cannot be overestimated. This is a necessary means to prevent orthodontic relapse.
Orthodontic relapse is the tendency of your teeth to relocate back to their original misaligned positions. This is because the periodontal ligaments, the small elastic fibers that attach your teeth to the jawbone, were stretched and replaced during your treatment. These ligaments have a cellular memory. Therefore, without a retainer to keep the teeth in position, they will slowly contract and strive to take your teeth out of position. It is the most aggressive process during the first few months of having your appliances removed.
Moreover, the bone tissue around the newly placed teeth requires considerable remodeling and hardening in ossification. Your retainer is a passive brace that holds the teeth firmly in their new positions until the new bone is solidified around the roots. This stabilization phase will make your treatment successful in the long term and will not force you to endure the frustrating process of watching your great results being lost.
Not wearing your retainer as directed may, unfortunately, undo the gains you have made, with surprising rapidity. Many patients undergo some degree of relapse during the first decade following treatment, and the majority of this movement happens in the first year. Because of this, the retention part of orthodontics is equally as important as the active part of wearing braces or aligners.
Your retainer ensures that the significant investment of time, energy, and resources you invested into having it is safeguarded. The only sure method of fighting the forces of nature in your mouth is to use retainers constantly after removing your orthodontic appliances.
Types of Retainers
After active treatment, you will have a specially crafted retainer to fit your specific dental structure and needs. These appliances are usually of two types, namely removable and fixed. The type of retainer recommended by your orthodontist comes after a thorough analysis of your original malocclusion, the stability of the result, and your personal lifestyle considerations. Both types are different in terms of benefits and considerations. Knowing the differences helps you understand why a specific type was selected for you and enables you to keep your smile active throughout your life.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers are precisely what their names imply. You can and should remove them to eat, drink beverages other than plain water, and when cleaning your teeth. These retainers comprise two of the most prevalent and efficient forms of retainer currently prescribed. Although convenient and much easier when brushing and flossing your natural teeth, they can only perform well if you are committed. It is entirely up to you; thus, your effort in wearing them as your orthodontist requires is the key determinant of their success.
The Hawley Wire Retainer
The Hawley retainer is one of the most traditional and recognizable forms of orthodontic retainers. This retainer has been a workhorse in orthodontics for decades. It is made of a rigid acrylic or plastic foundation shaped to suit the roof of your mouth, in the case of the upper arch, or inside the lower teeth. This acrylic plate joins a fine metal wire, a labial bow, over your teeth. This simple but strong design effectively keeps the teeth in corrected positions and does not make them go forward.
The main advantage of the Hawley retainer is that it is durable. They can be maintained for many years of useful life, and the lifespan of these retainers is frequently more extended than that of other detachable appliances.
Their adjustability is another principal merit. In case of any minor tooth movement observed in a follow-up visit, your orthodontist can easily make a minor adjustment to the wire; in this case, a tooth can be directed back to its most preferred position without needing a longer treatment. This enables them to be an all-round long-term retention tool.
However, the most outstanding disadvantage to most patients is that it is visible. The wire running across the front teeth is visible, which may be an aesthetic issue. Other people also mention that initially, the acrylic plate is bulky and has a transient adjustment period that can disrupt the clarity of speech as your tongue gets used to it.
In conventional retainer treatment, cleaning is done daily to avoid bacterial accumulation on acrylic and wire parts.
The Essix Clear Plastic Retainer
One such clearly plastic retainer is the Essix retainer, which has gained immense popularity in recent years, mainly because of its inconspicuous look. This retainer resembles a clear aligner tray, similar to those in Invisalign treatment. It is a transparent, thin shell of medical-grade plastic vacuum-molded around a model of your teeth so that it fits over your entire arch.
The most significant benefit of an Essix retainer is that it will be barely noticeable when worn, so it is a very aesthetic choice for patients worried about the look of a wire retainer. They are also more comfortable than the heavier Hawley retainers, which many users consider more cumbersome and do not cover the roof of the mouth.
But there are inevitable trade-offs to this aesthetic value. This transparent plastic does not last as long as the acrylic and metal of a Hawley retainer. It must be changed more often, usually after several years, particularly when you clench or grind at night.
The plastic may also form tiny cracks or discolor with time. Another vital consideration is that an Essix retainer’s full-coverage design can hold liquids between your teeth. This is why it is essential to drink plain water when wearing it and to prevent the fact that your teeth will be bathed in sugars or acids, and you have a high chance of tooth decay and stains.
Such an invisible retainer must be carefully cleaned to ensure it remains clear, and no accumulation of bacteria may lead to odors.
Fixed Retainers
A fixed retainer, also called a bonded or permanent retainer, represents a totally different way of retention. This appliance is made of thin, solid, or braided wire bonded directly to the lingual side of your front teeth, the tongue side. It is usually located on the lower six teeth between the canine and canine teeth, which are typically crowded over time. This lingual wire is not noticeable by other people, as it is placed at the back of the teeth, which offers a secret and painless way out.
The most significant benefit of a permanent retainer is that it is continuously available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is attached in such a way that you do not need to remember to wear it or to lose it. This removes the chances of non-compliance, as well as making it one of the most effective relapse prevention tools, especially in teeth that were rotated or crowded severely before treatment. The major challenge, however, is under a fixed retainer.
The bonded wire makes it hard and time-consuming to floss. To clean these teeth, you cannot floss vertically between the contacts of the teeth, but you need to use a floss threader, interdental brushes, or a water flosser to clean the floss between the teeth and under the wire.
Without this special cleaning, plaque and tartar may be easily deposited around the wire, resulting in gum inflammation, cavities, and other dental health problems.
The Ultimate Retainer Care and Maintenance Checklist
It is a great thing to take care of and wear your retainer. A clean retainer will last longer, work properly, and ensure the mouth’s health by avoiding the accumulation of harmful bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Failure to do this will likely create unpleasant smells, color changes on the appliance, and even cause oral infections or gum disease.
To achieve long-term success with orthodontics, it is crucial to have a consistent and complete cleaning and maintenance schedule, regardless of whether your retainer is removable or fixed. The daily routine will keep your appliance and that gorgeous smile it is made to safeguard.
Your Daily Cleaning Schedule of Removable Retainers
Daily cleaning is a must for both Hawley and Essix retainers. This is an activity that you should incorporate into your oral hygiene so that you can clean your appliance when brushing your teeth. Always, the most appropriate thing to do is to clean it up immediately after you leave it in your mouth. This assists in removing saliva and soft plaque before they dry and become hard on the surface; hence, it becomes much harder to remove in the future.
You have to start by washing your retainer in lukewarm water. This is vital because it is very easy to bend and deform the plastic parts of a Hawley or Essix retainer under high temperatures, thus altering its tailor-made fit and making it useless.
Clean all surfaces of your retainer inside and outside with a non-abrasive, mild toothbrush or one specifically designed for your retainer. This is a soft-bristled one that is neither scented nor flavored, using a mild, non-abrasive soap, for example, clear, unscented dish soap or a special retainer cleaning foam.
The use of toothpaste should be clearly avoided. Many toothpaste formulas include abrasive particles intended to polish tooth enamel, but are too aggressive to be used in a retainer made of soft acrylic and plastic. These abrasives can cause microscopic scratches on the surface of the retainer, making it look cloudy or discolored and serving as a habitat for bacteria.
When you have brushed it well, run a lot of cool water over it, and then put it back in your mouth or put it away in its case. To get it even cleaner, you can occasionally submerge your retainer in a special effusive cleaning solution, or a 50/50 blend of white vinegar and water for approximately 20 minutes to assist in loosening up a hard deposit of tartar.
Oral Hygiene with a Fixed Retainer
A fixed retainer of oral health means additional work and specific specialized equipment, since the appliance cannot be removed to clean it. The bonded wire serves as a shelf where the food particles and the plaque can easily be trapped. Hence, the area is a good place where tartar can easily be deposited, thus causing gum inflammation and decay when not cleaned daily.
The most important aspect of care for a permanent retainer is daily flossing. The wire obstructs the conventional flossing method; thus, you must learn a new technique. The best one is the floss threader, a tiny, disposable device with a loop at one end and a stiff tip.
You will then pass a strand of your standard floss through the loop of the threader and then under your bonded retainer wire, between two teeth, with the hard end of the threader. When you have the floss through, you can take the threader out and run the floss up and down the sides of each tooth and lightly along the gumline.
It has to be done with every tooth joined with the wire. Although this routine might seem tedious and time-consuming initially, it will be something that you will pick up fast and is essential in avoiding plaque accumulation and keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Instead, interdental brushes or a water flosser may be a great addition to removing food particles and cleaning around the wire.
Dos and Don’ts When Storing and Handling Retainers
You must remove your retainer and store it in a place other than your mouth to increase its life and safety. You should always place your retainer in its protective, ventilated case when you eat or drink. Among the most frequent methods of a retainer being lost or destroyed beyond repair is by being hastily wrapped in a napkin at dinner tables and thrown away with the rubbish.
You should also be conscious of your environment. Do not leave your retainer in a place where it can be exposed to heat, like the dashboard of a hot car, the sill of a window in direct sunlight, or a stove. Such negligence causes the plastic to become warped and lose shape.
Another threat is pets, especially dogs, which are highly likely to be attracted by the odor of saliva on retainers and can easily chew and destroy them within a few seconds. Be tender when handling your appliance. The delicate wires can be damaged or cracks can form by pushing them into position, pulling them out too vigorously, or pulling on only one side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As a natural part of getting used to your new routine, the retention stage of your orthodontic treatment will be associated with questions. Awareness of the issues generally raised and having the correct answers can help you feel confident and ready as you strive to keep your new smile. This part will answer some of the most common questions regarding orthodontic retainers, giving direct answers to help guide you through this treatment step.
How many years will I be wearing my retainer?
Your teeth are in the greatest danger of returning to their previous positions right after your braces are removed. The periodontal ligaments are still elastic, and the bone surrounding them is not completely hardened. To this end, your orthodontist will advise you to wear your removable retainer 24 hours a day, usually 22 hours, during the initial months. In this first, intensive stage, you are only supposed to take it off to eat, drink other things besides water, and do your daily oral cleaning. Continuous movement is necessary for the jawbone to harden in the new tooth positions.
Once this first period of full-time wear is complete, possibly between four and twelve months, depending on the severity of your case, and the philosophy of your orthodontist, you should probably start wearing your retainer only at night, as you sleep. Although this might diminish commitment, most orthodontists and dental associations currently prescribe nighttime wear for life.
This is because your teeth are never fixed and may move over a long period due to natural forces such as aging, chewing, and pressure from your tongue and lips. Keep your smile stable and secure your investment until the end of your life.
What should I do if I lose or break my retainer?
In case you lose or break your retainer, call your orthodontist. This case is to be considered as a dental emergency. You must not wait to discover whether your teeth will be all right; just make the call. It does not take long before your teeth can start to move, which may happen in a matter of days when you wear them inconsistently. The more times you lose your retainer, the more you expose yourself to a noticeable relapse. When the shifting is so great, your previous retainer might not fit, and you might need additional, more expensive orthodontic therapy to adjust the regression.
Never try to glue a broken retainer with household glues such as super glue because these are not oral-safe materials, and you will constantly change their exact fit. Similarly, do not attempt to fit a broken retainer in your mouth because this may hurt your teeth even more. When you call your orthodontist’s office, you should be able to explain the situation.
They will book an appointment immediately so they can make another impression or a digital scan of your teeth so that they may make another, perfectly fitting replacement. Replacement retainers can cost more or less; therefore, taking the best care of your original appliance is always advisable.
My retainer is tight/loose. Is this normal?
The retainer fitting in your mouth can give valuable feedback regarding the soundness of your teeth and the success of your retention plan. When you have gone one or two days without your retainer and when you get it in again and it feels distinctly tight, this is a direct and obvious indication that your teeth have already begun to move.
The strain you experience is the retainer pressing softly yet sternly to bring them into their proper position. This experience must not be overlooked; it must be a potent reminder of the need to wear your retainer regularly as advised by your orthodontist.
Conversely, when your retainer is always loose or it suddenly begins to rock or snaps into position, it is no longer going to fit. This might be because of several reasons. For example, a small, invisible crack may have damaged the appliance. It might have been distorted through heat exposure.
Or, in other instances, it might have deteriorated with the passage of time. A sticky retainer will not serve its purpose or keep your teeth in place. It is prudent to book an orthodontic visit to determine the fit and condition of the appliance, whether it feels tight after some non-use, or is constantly loose.
Seek Smile Protection with a Dental Office Near Me
You have just finished the active stage of your orthodontic therapy, and the outcome is a beautiful, healthy, and well-aligned smile, of which you can be proud. However, the treatment journey is not over; it passes on to the lifelong, equally significant retention stage. There is nothing more important than using your retainer consistently and diligently.
The one thing you can do to preserve the outstanding result you have obtained is to take care of your smile. With the comprehensive instructions in this guide and by strictly obeying the individual instructions given by your orthodontist, you can easily ensure that you can keep your results for many years to come.
Our experienced dentists at SoCal Dental Care are willing to assist you in caring for your orthodontic treatment and retainers. Call us now at 818-821-8308 to schedule your booking in North Hollywood, and we will work together to maintain your retainers for a long time.
