Today, with the outstanding development of orthodontic techniques and braces, cases of misaligned or complicated teeth can be treated with high efficiency through braces. However, after you finish this treatment period, wearing a retainer after braces will be prescribed by your doctor. This article will help you understand why you must wear a retainer, as well as information about popular types of retainers.
What is wearing a retainer after braces?
Braces is the process of applying force to teeth, through a system of braces and orthodontic appliances. Helps teeth move to the desired position and adjusts teeth to a standard bite. Normally you will need 1 to 2 years to implement. After finishing, you must wear a retainer after braces to help stabilize your teeth and not move back to their original position.
Currently, there are two main types of retainers: removable and fixed retainers. Therefore, you can choose based on your preferences and convenience for your daily life.
Details about the types of retainers maintenance
Each type of maintenance function will have its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing the right type, you need to wear a retainer after braces according to the instructions and requests from your doctor, with the goal of helping to achieve the desired aesthetics.
Fixed retainer with needles type
The jaw is made from steel wire of many different sizes, twisted or straight in shape. Fixed to the inside of the front teeth with Composite material.
Advantages
- Because it is fixed to the teeth, there will be no situation where the user forgets to wear the retainer.
- Metal wires are attachedon the inside of the teeth, ensuring good aesthetics.
Disadvantages
- Can cause scratches to the mouth and tongue when you eat and drink regularly.
- Causes difficulty in cleaning between teeth, easily causing bad breath and tooth decay.
- Creates a rough, uncomfortable feeling for the patient.
Removable retainer (Metal)
Wearing a retainer after braces with a removable metal jaw will hug the front teeth and hold the two canine teeth. Attached to an acrylic mold on the roof of the mouth or underneath the user’s tongue.
Advantages
- Users can easily disassemble and assemble, convenient in daily life, you can eat, drink and clean your oral cavity more easily.
- The jaw is highly durable, can be worn for a long time without needing to be replaced.
Disadvantages
- The metal archwire is attached to the outside, not ensuring good aesthetics.
- Easy to remove and install, so many people will forget to wear them, affecting the results of braces.
- Users who forget to remove braces when eating will cause a broken jaw, which will cost a lot of money to rebuild.
Removable retainer (Plastic transparent)
This type of jaw is made from transparent plastic, based on the patient’s jaw mark.
Advantages
- Ensures aesthetics, because it is transparent plastic so it is difficult for the other person to detect.
- Easy to remove and install, so it can bring convenience in eating and daily oral hygiene.
- The jaw is crafted based on each person’s jaw mark, thanks to which it hugs the dental arch, always holding the teeth in the most stable way.
Disadvantages
Because it is easy for users to remove and assemble when so it’s easy to forget to wear it and lose it. If you do not wear a retainer regularly after braces, it will affect the final orthodontic results.
These are all popular types of retainers, which type you should use can be evaluated through the above advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, you can consult your doctor to make the most accurate choice, suitable for your economic ability.
Why must you wear a retainer after braces?
A retainer is a type of orthodontic device used in the final stages, after you finish your orthodontic process. There have been many cases where patients subjectively did not wear their retainer after braces, causing the teeth to shift and shift back to their old position.
The cause of this condition is due to soft tissue pressure during the orthodontic process. At the same time, bones and teeth are not completely stable at this time, so they tend to move back to their old position. Therefore, you need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position until the bones, teeth, and gums completely adapt to this change.
In addition, after wearing the retainer, you also need to create oral hygiene habits to ensure long-term effectiveness and avoid unwanted diseases.
How long do you need to wear a retainer?
According to experts from My Auris dentistry, the time you have to wear a retainer after braces is at least 6 months. During this time you need to wear it continuously, only take it off when eating or needing to clean your teeth. After this period of time, you only need to wear the retainer at night while sleeping. As time goes on, the time spent wearing the retainer will gradually decrease and can be worn every other day.
The time you wear the retainer should be equal to the time spent wearing braces.please, to ensure the best results. When the doctor examines your teeth and is completely stable, they will instruct you to finish wearing the retainer. However, while wearing it, you should still have regular follow-up appointments.
Through examination, the doctor can monitor the results of braces, ensure your teeth are completely stable and do not relapse or detect other arising problems.
