Types and Purposes of Retainers

1. Types and Purposes of Retainers Once you are done with your braces, it is time to start wearing a retainer. It is essential to wear retainers as it helps retain all the benefits provided by braces for a lifetime. If someone chooses not to wear retainers for missing teeth after braces are removed, there are chances their teeth will become crooked or misaligned again. Studies have shown that the teeth are most vulnerable to returning to their old positions during the first month without braces. Further in this post, we will discuss different types of retainers in detail:- Types of Retainers: Fixed Retainer: This type of retainer is usually a thin wire stretched across the lower or upper teeth. It is bonded in place with dental cement. It is similar to the bonding cement used on braces. Cleaning or cleansing a fixed retainer requires the use of floss thread to access the space between the teeth. This type of retainer does not require much effort to clean the teeth. These provide the best outcome as the bonded wires hold the patient’s teeth in place every minute of the day. Removable Retainers: These retainers are a combination of stretched wires across the lower or upper front teeth. These retainers hold their place with the help of hooks and acrylic material. Since these retainers are removable, they are easy to clean and cleanse. It is imperative to wear these types of retainers for the recommended period. A patient may be asked to wear removable retainers for approximately three months. If the patient’s teeth remain in place, they can wear them only a few hours within the day.

2. Purpose of Wearing Retainers: One of the most imperative reasons for wearing a retainer is to make certain that the patient’s teeth and mouth have proper alignment after braces. The amount of time Retainers for Missing Teeth is required varies from patient to patient. When braces are removed, the pressure created by the growling body can make perfectly straight teeth misaligned. An Experienced dentist can suggest the time retainers need to be worn. The retainer can help maintain straight teeth when a natural teeth-shifting process occurs in the patient’s mouth. The movement of teeth after braces occurs because of the elastic fibres in the gums. These fibres behave like rubber bands and pull teeth in various directions. A retainer helps to hold teeth in the proper place until the gums adopt the new position. Other Purposes of Wearing Retainers: According to experts, several dental problems are easy to treat without the use of braces. In many of these situations, wearing retainers provide sufficient help to remove gaps between teeth. When the gaps between the teeth are filled the patient may still require wearing a retainer. Another condition that can be treated by using a retainer is tongue thrust. In this condition, the patient/s tongue slips between the teeth while speaking. A retainer can also solve several bite-related problems, including TMD- (Temporomandibular disorder). Patients who are suffering from TMD can have jaw problems. It causes severe pain and can affect one or both sides of a person’s face. This condition can last for a short or long time.