Retainers

Why do teeth move after braces?

During orthodontic treatment your teeth are held in position by your braces, but once they’re removed, stretched elastic fibers in the gum try to pull the teeth back to their original position – something we call “orthodontic relapse”. It takes time for these fibers to remodel and stop pulling on the teeth.

Continued growth of the jaws can also encourage the teeth to move once treatment has been completed. To help avoid orthodontic relapse we provide our patients with retainers, which hold the teeth in their new position.

Fixed Retainers

The fixed type of retainer is usually a thin wire worn across the back of the lower or upper front teeth, which is bonded in place with a cement similar to that applied on the brackets of braces. Because this type of wire stretches across several teeth, a floss threader or similar cleaning device must be used to access the interproximal spaces between the teeth, which is similar to how people with braces have to floss. Despite the fact that this type of retainer takes a little more work to keep clean, it has the best outcome because the bonded wire will hold the newly straightened teeth in perfect formation.

Removable Retainers

The removable type of retainer is usually a combination of a wire going across the front of the lower or upper front teeth held in place with a combination of acrylic material and hooks (or clasps) that insert in and around the back teeth to hold the retainer in place. Since it is removable, this type of retainer makes it easier to clean your teeth, but the patient has to remember to wear it daily. Initially, your orthodontist or dentist will want you to wear it all day and all night for at least three months; if no movement is detected, you may be instructed to wear the retainer only at night or for a few hours in the daytime.

Clear Retainer

A clear retainer is a thin clear plastic plate similar in construction to a small mouth guard. It is worn whilst you sleep for roughly 12 hours per day. Its purpose is to retain your teeth in their current position. the more you wear your retainer, the less likely it is that your teeth will move out of their corrected position.