Teeth Retainer
Braces and Invisalign can help straighten your teeth for a healthy, beautiful smile. Once your braces or Invisalign treatment is over, your orthodontist in Chelmsford, MA, will likely recommend a retainer to maintain the new position of your teeth. Wearing a retainer is important to ensure the long-term success of your braces or Invisalign treatment.
Your teeth will shift throughout your lifetime, and without using a retainer, you could lose some or all of the excellent results from your braces or Invisalign treatment.
The professionals at Orthodontic Solutions for Children and Adults are here to help. We provide excellent support for our patients after they have had braces or Invisalign treatment, to help ensure long-lasting results.
What’s a Retainer?
A retainer is an orthodontic tool that “retains” the position of your teeth after braces or clear aligners. Regular use of a retainer following braces or Invisalign treatment helps prevent the jaw and teeth from returning to their old position. The teeth are always shifting, from childhood into adulthood. Wearing a retainer helps prevent your teeth from resuming an undesirable position and undoing all the progress made by wearing braces.
When Does a Person Get a Retainer?
If you are an orthodontic patient at Orthodontic Solutions for Children and Adults, you will likely get a retainer when your braces are removed or your Invisalign treatment is over. Your retainer is the natural conclusion of your orthodontic treatment.
Benefits of Wearing a Retainer
There are many benefits of wearing a retainer.
- Prevent relapse: Wearing a retainer prevents your teeth from resuming their old position after braces or Invisalign treatment. Your braces or Invisalign treatment is an investment. Wearing a retainer helps you maintain that investment.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Straight teeth are easier to maintain than crooked or crowded teeth. Wearing your retainer helps you maintain straight teeth and good oral hygiene.
- Prevent teeth from shifting: Teeth shift over time. Wearing a retainer prevents this from happening and helps ensure that your teeth can maintain the optimal position that was achieved by your braces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retainers in Chelmsford, MA
What’s the purpose of wearing a retainer?
The purpose of wearing a retainer is to maintain the position of your teeth after braces or Invisalign treatment. Wearing a retainer helps prevent relapse.
Will I be allowed to eat while wearing my retainer?
There are two types of retainers: removable and permanent. You should not eat while wearing a removable retainer.
How do you maintain a retainer?
Maintaining a removable retainer is easy.
- Store it properly: When your retainer is not in your mouth, put it in your case for safekeeping. You will likely be given a case by your orthodontist when you get your retainer. If you lose or break your case, get a new one. Never store your retainer outside of the case.
- Remove it for meals: Take your retainer out for meals. Put it in your case while eating.
- Wash your retainer well: When washing your retainer, use antibacterial soap and warm water. Use a toothbrush to brush your retainer and keep it free of food. Wash your retainer every time you take it out of your mouth, if possible. At a minimum, wash your retainer once per day.
How long will I have to wear a retainer?
Most people need to wear a retainer 24 hours per day (except when eating) for a period of time after braces or Invisalign are removed. For some people, this length of time is four months; for some people, it’s longer. After this period, you will wear your retainer only at night.
Some people wear their retainer every night, then cut back to wearing their retainer a few nights per week. Your orthodontist will tell you how much to wear your retainer. You will need to continue wearing your retainer for as long as you want to maintain the results of your braces and Invisalign. If you stop wearing the retainer, your teeth may relapse.
How should I store my retainer?
Store your retainer in the container supplied to you by the orthodontist. If you lose that container, get a new one.
How often will I need to wear a retainer?
Your orthodontist will tell you how often you need to wear a retainer. This will change over time, as you will be required to wear your retainer for more hours of the day when the braces have first been removed.
What happens if I don’t wear my retainer enough?
If you don’t wear your retainer enough, your teeth may resume their old position. If this happens, you may need to get new braces (or live with your teeth as-is).
How long do retainers last?
Retainers do need to be replaced periodically. Some people replace their retainer once per year, while others replace their retainer less frequently. If you grind your teeth, talk to your orthodontist about ways that you can protect your retainer. Never eat while wearing a retainer to avoid breaking it.
Do retainers shift teeth like braces?
No, retainers do not shift teeth. Retainers help teeth maintain their position after they’ve been shifted by braces or Invisalign.
Are retainers comfortable?
Because retainers do not shift the teeth, many people find retainers to be more comfortable than braces.
Call Today for Outstanding Orthodontic Services
At Orthodontic Solutions for Children and Adults, we provide retainers in Chelmsford, MA. Our orthodontic professionals can help you achieve straight, attractive teeth. Do you have questions about wearing a retainer or braces? Call today to make an appointment.
