Do I Really Need a Retainer?
Austin, TX – The day a patient’s braces come off is a day to celebrate. Our patients work hard to get their beautifully straight smiles! But just because the brackets and wires are gone, that doesn’t mean the work is over.
In order to maintain that straight smile it’s crucial to wear a retainer as directed by your orthodontist, for several reasons. These include:
A retainer prevents your teeth from shifting back to their previous locations.
Your braces worked to guide your teeth through the jawbone to their ideal spots. Now, the surrounding bone and tissues need time to stabilize in order to hold those teeth there. Ther periodontal ligament tends to be elastic, so until everything stabilizes, it will want to pull the teeth right back where they came from. But your retainer will prevent that from happening.
Maintains your smile even as you age.
Natural forces, such as chewing, can alter our bite slightly as we age. And our jaws may change a bit as we age, as well. But having a retainer can ensure your bite stays aligned properly.
Prevent oral health issues.
Straight teeth are easier to maintain and can help stave off issues such as cavities, gum disease, and even issues like chipping or cracking. Wearing your retainer keeps your teeth in alignment, making them easier to clean and care for. It also means your bite is still functioning properly.
Eliminates the need for additional treatment in the future.
As we age, our bites can change. But if you still have your retainer, you can ensure that your teeth won’t shift dramatically and need to be re-aligned.
Any patient who has undergone orthodontic treatment should wear a retainer exactly as directed by his or her orthodontist. This is especially true in the months immediately following treatment while your mouth is adjusting to having the teeth in their new locations.
Your retainer wear schedule may be different from others, but it is always important to wear them exactly as directed by your orthodontist. For those who have a higher likelihood of relapse, retainer wear could be around the clock for a year, while for another patient it could only be for four months. And others may only need to wear their retainers at night. Just like your treatment plan, your retainer wear plan will be customized to suit your specific needs.
Skipping retainer wear even for just a few weeks can alter your smile and you may find your retainer no longer fits properly. If this happens, call your orthodontist to have a new retainer made. This will prevent further shifting of your smile.
If you are ready to learn more about how orthodontic treatment can improve your smile or if you have questions about your retainer, call Pure Smiles Orthodontics today at 512-215-2520.