Different Types of Retainers

Orthodontic treatment is the best way to straighten teeth and improve the health of your teeth and gums. Straight teeth are easier to clean so realigning crooked teeth is not just an aesthetic treatment. One thing to remember when considering orthodontia is the maintenance required for the rest of your life. Most patients will need to wear maple grove retainers at least when they sleep forever. Without them, teeth can return to their original position.

Retainers can either be removable or fixed (permanent). They type you and your orthodontist choose will depend on a few things including your oral hygiene habits and your day to day to life. If you feel that you can comply with your orthodontist’s instructions concerning the amount of time each day a removable retainer is to be worn, you will probably not require a fixed retainer.

Choosing a Removable Retainer

A lot of patients opt for clear plastic retainers though some may need a hawley retainer which is a wire fixed to acrylic. The acrylic base sits on the palate of the upper and/or lower arch and allows the wire to run across the front of the anterior teeth. Clear retainers cover all of the teeth and run over the entire arch.

Patients have to remember to wear their retainers as instructed to make sure their teeth do not shift back. Your orthodontist may have you wear them 12 to 22 hours per day for up to a year and then allow you to drop down to wearing them only when you sleep. You may even be able to wear them only every other night.

Removable retainers are considerably easier to clean as are your teeth. They do experience wear and tear and over time, may need to be replaced. Some patients can keep a set of retainers for 5 years while others may have to replace them every year. If you are a bruxer, meaning that you clench and grind your teeth, particularly during sleeping hours, you will likely be replacing your retainers within a couple of years.

Dogs are partial to your retainers, it is shockingly common for a patient to need a new set because Rover ate them. Removable retainers are also more susceptible to damage when they are not in your mouth or in their case and often get tossed out at lunch, having been wrapped up in a napkin.

Choosing a Fixed Retainer

A fixed retainer is a wire that is cemented to the back of your front teeth. One of the drawbacks to a fixed retainer is your oral hygiene routine. Flossing around a fixed retainer can be challenging but there are floss threaders that make it much easier. However, you may still need removable retainers on top of the fixed ones.  The fixed retainers only hold a few front teeth, while the removable can hold them all, which is key to retention.

More About Retainers : Caring for your Retainer