Retain Alignment with Various Retainer Options
Orthodontic treatment with braces can take a good amount of time, and the last thing you’ll want is for the progress to backslide once the braces are removed. Without the use of a retainer, though, your teeth may begin to shift and cause all of the progress from the braces to be reversed.
Many patients don’t realize that, over time and without support, their teeth will likely return to their original location due to any number of factors, like pressure from soft tissue, connective tissue fibers that attach the tooth to the bone, and the amount of occlusion.
Orthodontic retention is a lifetime commitment. Once the process of shifting your teeth to the ideal place has been completed, we’ll look at the types of retainers that may be available and determine the best option for you.
More on our 2 Locations for Retainers in the Minneapolis Metro:
Why a Retainer
We mentioned earlier that Dr. Pan will consider the amount of orthodontic correction as a baseline, and then there may be these considerations through an evaluation process to determine which retainer is best for you. If you breathe through your mouth, you might need a stronger retainer. The clenching and grinding of your teeth creates more muscle hyperactivity and needs retention. If you thrust your tongue into your teeth or if you play a musical instrument that has you blowing through a reed, it’s an issue to be dealt with. If you suck your lip or bite on a pen or pencil, these are habits detrimental to your newly repositioned teeth. Dr. Pan and her staff have an investment of time in your smile, as you do, and they want you to maintain that smile.
In most cases, you will be asked to wear your retainer 12 hours a day for a year to stabilize your dental corrections. After the first year, we recommend every night for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight. Dr. Pan, through regular appointments, will monitor your teeth and make sure they do not regress to their original positions. It is a collaborative effort; you will need to participate to protect your smile. Dr. Pan’s office offers complimentary 3D model storage so your virtual teeth model will be saved in a digital bank. Whenever or wherever you need a new pair of retainers, we can 3D print them and send them to you. Thanks to the breakthrough of digital technology and 3D printing, we can now offer patients the support they need for long-term retention to protect their investment in their new beautiful smile!
Proper Care for Your Retainer
A removable retainer should be brushed regularly and then rinsed dry. You will be given a hard case for your retainer. When that retainer is not in your mouth, it should only be in that case, which will also need to be kept clean. The material is sensitive to excessive heat. Do not set your retainer on the car dashboard, next to the heater, or even put it in the dishwasher. Plaque can adhere to that retainer just like your teeth, so brush and rinse daily and you’ll keep it in good shape.
If your retainer is fixed, you will have to exercise a lot more patience in your brushing habits and techniques, as well as those of flossing. You need to remove any food particles and debris from around the retaining wire. If you slack off and don’t clean around the retainer, it will result in the build-up of plaque and tartar and possibly in gum disease and dental caries.
A Small Price to Pay
At the end of the day, whichever retainer you agree with Dr. Pan to wear, it will be worth the effort. Your smile is an invaluable asset, and you have gone through the effort to improve it. Now you need to continue to put some effort into maintaining it. That smile is the foundation for your self-confidence and your self-esteem, both personally and professionally. The retainer is a very small item that you will soon create another good habit for and around.
Pan Orthodontics Philosophy
To treat our patients as our families and to treat others as 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 helping you find the most convenient time for your visit with us.
