Orthodontic Retention
South West Rocks Family Dental has been proudly serving the South West Rocks and Kempsey Shire for over 30 years.
Orthodontic Retention
Retention after orthodontic treatment is crucial for maintaining the alignment and position of your teeth after braces or clear aligners have been removed. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back towards their original positions due to the elastic fibres in the gums and the continuous remodelling of the jawbone. Retainers help counteract this tendency by providing stability and support, ensuring that the results of your orthodontic treatment remain intact. Neglecting the use of a retainer can lead to relapse, undoing the time, effort, and investment spent on achieving a straight and healthy smile. Therefore, consistent and proper retainer wear is a vital component of long-lasting orthodontic success.
Orthodontic retention is essential for maintaining your new smile after treatment. There are two main types of retainers: removable and fixed. Each comes with its pros and cons.
Clear Retainers: These virtually invisible retainers, such as Essix or Vivera, are made of clear plastic and custom-fit to your teeth. They offer a discreet appearance but may not last as long as Hawley retainers and are prone to staining.
Fixed Retainers:
Bonded Lingual Retainers: These retainers consist of a thin wire bonded to the back of your teeth, making them invisible to others. They offer continuous support, preventing unwanted tooth movement. On the downside, they may be challenging to clean around and can potentially interfere with proper flossing.
If you have your teeth straightened with South West Rocks Dental, we’ll discuss and recommend how to best retain your teeth in their new ideal position. For some of our patients, they’ve had alignment in the past and require new retention. We re here to discuss any relapse and either pause it with new retention or consider some simple alignment to put them back where they should be! Come in for a free Orthodontic Consult and find out what’s best for you.
FAQ's: Orthodontic Retention Options
The duration of orthodontic retainer wear varies depending on individual needs and treatment goals. Patients may need to wear retainers full-time for several months after treatment, then gradually reduce wear to nighttime only forever.
The type of orthodontic retainer/s will be recommended based on individual needs and preferences. In the end it’s your choice.
Patients may need to wear orthodontic retainers indefinitely to maintain the results of orthodontic treatment. However, the duration of retention depends on individual needs and treatment goals.
Patients can eat and drink with orthodontic retainers, but should avoid sticky, sugary foods that can damage retainers.
Orthodontic retainers require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent damage and ensure optimal performance.
Any change in the mouth can cause some minor short term speech changes however our brain learns the new oral environment and we quickly go back to normal.
If patients do not wear their orthodontic retainers as recommended, teeth may gradually shift back to their original position, requiring additional treatment to correct. You’ve put a lot of time, effort and money into getting your ideal smile, retention is what keeps it there long term – don’t let your smile fade away!
Request a Consult
