Retain Alignment with Various Retainer Options
Wearing orthodontic braces is not a quick decision. It is a commitment for possibly six to 24 months to move teeth, straighten teeth, close any gaps, and to correct a bite pattern. It would be very upsetting to accomplish that goal and then find out that your teeth will begin to shift back to their original locations. Depending on the severity of your correction, your teeth will tend to naturally return to their original location. This can be due any number of factors such as the pressure from soft tissue, connective tissue fibers that attach the tooth to the bone or the amount of occlusion which is the contact between your teeth. The entire staff at Pan Orthodontics, at 7830 Main St. in Maple Grove, MN, is trained to identify these retainer issues and to determine which will be best for you. Upon an evaluation Dr. Pan will suggest one based on your scenario. We will look at the different type of retainers, the proper care for those retainers and the pros and cons of proceeding with the use of one of them. Concerned? Call 952-926-3747 for a consultation today.
Orthodontists use to recommend a few years were necessary to wear a retainer. How wrong we have been! In the last few decades, our orthodontic communities recognized that orthodontic retention is a life-time commitment. Our teeth were programmed to move, no matter your age or how long you wore those braces.
Why a Maple Grove Retainer
Dr. Pan will consider the amount of your orthodontic correction as a baseline and then this will be considered through an evaluation process to determine which retainer will be best for you. Breathing through your mouth might require a stronger retainer. When you clench and grind your teeth you create more muscle hyperactivity, and this needs retention. If you push your tongue into your teeth or if you play a musical instrument that has you blowing through a reed it is an issue that needs to be dealt with. If you like to suck your lip or bite on a pencil these are habits detrimental to your newly repositioned teeth. Your teammates at Pan Orthodontics have also invested in your smile with you and they also want to see you maintain that new smile.
In almost all cases you will be asked to wear your retainer 12 hours every day for a year to stabilize your dental corrections. After this first year we will recommend wearing it every night to keep teeth straight. Through regularly scheduled appointments we will monitor your teeth and make sure they are not shifting back to their original positions. It is a collaborative team effort; you must participate to maintain your smile. Pan Orthodontics offers complimentary 3D model storage so your virtual teeth model will be saved in a digital bank. If you need a new retainer, we can 3D print it off and send it to you. A wonderful breakthrough in both digital technology and 3D printing, we can now offer you the support you need for long term retention to maintain your investment in your beautiful new smile!
Proper Care for your Retainer
If your retainer is removable it should be brushed regularly and then rinsed dry. We will give you a hard case for your retainer. When your retainer is not in your mouth it should always be in that case, which should be kept clean. The retainer material is sensitive to excessive heat. Do not set it on the car dashboard, next to a heater or never put it in the dishwasher. Plaque will adhere to that retainer just like your teeth, so brush it and rinse it daily and you will keep it in good shape.
If your retainer is fixed or permanent, you will have to exercise more patience in your brushing habits and techniques as well as that of flossing. You must remove any food particles and debris from around the retaining wire. If you get lazy and do not clean around the retainer, it will result in the build-up of plaque and tartar and inevitably result in gum disease and cavities.
A Small Price to Pay
Your team at Pan Orthodontics, at 7830 Main St. in Maple Grove, MN, will make first class teammates. At the conclusion of your consultation whichever retainer maple grove you agree with Dr. Pan to wear will be worth your effort. Your smile is an immeasurable and invaluable asset and you have gone through the effort to improve it. Now you simply need to continue to put some effort in to maintain it. Your retainer is such an extremely small item to add to your good habits. Twice a year visits to have regular, preventative checkups by Pan Orthodontics are an especially wise thing to do. Call 952-926-3747 to schedule your evaluation today.
Pan Orthodontics Philosophy
To treat our patients as our families and to treat others as how we want to be treated. From your first phone call to the moment your new smile is born, everything in our office is set up to ensure an excellent experience with us. We will always listen to you and improve with your suggestions.
Featuring The Latest Orthodontics Technology
Our Commitment to You
We will continue to keep up with the ever growing digital technologies to improve your orthodontic experience. We also commit to always help you find the most convenient time for your visit with us.
