Retainers 101: All You Need to Know from Your Trusted Bloomfield NJ Dental Clinic

Dr. Dan

October 22, 2023

Cosmetic Dentistry,Interesting,Restorative Dentistry,Teeth

As a general Dentist in Bloomfield NJ and a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry, I have had many patients come to me asking about retainers. Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment because they help maintain the position of your teeth after braces or Invisalign. If you are considering getting a retainer or have questions about how to care for one, then read on as we explore everything you need to know about retainers.

What Are Retainers?

Retainers are dental appliances that help keep your teeth in their new positions after braces or Invisalign treatment. They are made from either plastic or metal wires and fit over your teeth. There are two types of retainers – removable and permanent.

Removable retainers can be taken out for eating, brushing, and flossing. These types of retainers need to be worn consistently according to your dentist’s recommendations. Permanent retainers consist of a thin wire that is bonded behind the front teeth and does not require removal.

Guide on cleaning and maintaining retainers

Why Are Retainers Important?

After having orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign, it is essential to wear a retainer because it helps prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original positions. Teeth can quickly move back if there is no support holding them in place after treatment ends.

Wearing a retainer helps maintain the results achieved by orthodontic treatment by keeping your teeth aligned correctly over time.

How Long Do You Need To Wear A Retainer?

The length of time you will need to wear your retainer depends on several factors such as age, severity of the initial alignment issue, type of orthodontic correction used (braces vs Invisalign), and overall oral health status.

Typically, dentists recommend wearing retainers for at least a year after your braces or Invisalign treatment ends. In some cases, patients may need to wear their retainers for an extended period.

How Do You Care For Your Retainer?

It is essential to care for your retainer properly to ensure it remains effective and lasts as long as possible. Here are some tips on how to care for your retainer:

Clean your retainer daily with mild soap and water or a specialized cleaner recommended by your dentist
Avoid exposing your retainer to extreme temperatures, such as heat or cold
Keep the retainer in its case when not in use, away from pets and children.
Never boil or microwave the retainer.
Contact your dentist immediately if you notice any damage or discomfort while wearing the appliance.

What Happens If You Don't Wear Your Retainers?

If you do not wear a retainer after orthodontic treatment, there is a high chance that teeth will shift back into their original positions over time, rendering all of the time and effort put into orthodontic treatment useless.

Shifting teeth can lead to bite problems such as malocclusion (misaligned bite), which can cause headaches, jaw pain, tooth decay, gum disease and other dental issues that could have been avoided by consistent use of a post-treatment dental appliance like retainers.

Conclusion

Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment because they help maintain proper tooth alignment following braces or Invisalign therapy at our Dental Office in Bloomfield NJ. Our team understands that each patient’s needs are unique when it comes to oral health maintenance; therefore we customize our recommendations based on individual circumstances.

Remember to always follow advice from dentists regarding when and for how long to wear your retainer, as well as follow cleaning instructions so you can enjoy optimal results from orthodontic treatments!