The Uses and Importance of Dental Retainers After Braces

What Are Dental Retainers?

Dental retainers are custom-made appliances that are worn after braces treatment. They help teeth stay in their new positions after the braces come off. Retainers are an important part of orthodontic treatment.

Why Are Retainers Needed After Braces?

After braces straighten your teeth, retainers are needed to keep them from shifting back. Teeth have a tendency to revert to their original positions if they are not stabilized. This is because the gums, bones, and muscles of the mouth are used to the teeth being crooked. Even after months or years of braces treatment, they still retain "memory" of the old positioning.

Wearing a retainer holds the teeth in place while the bones, gums, and muscles adjust to the new tooth positioning. Over time, they will "memorize" the new alignment and the teeth will remain straight without a retainer.

How Long Do You Need To Wear Retainers?

Most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers full-time for the first 6 months after braces. This means wearing the retainer all day, except for eating and brushing your teeth. After that, you can switch to nighttime-only wear for about a year. Some people need to wear retainers at night for much longer to prevent teeth from shifting.

Your orthodontist will monitor your teeth at follow-up appointments and let you know when you can stop wearing your retainer. In some cases, people may need to wear retainers part-time for many years or even decades to keep their teeth straight.

Types of Dental Retainers

Clear Plastic Retainers

Clear plastic retainers, also called Essix or Vivera retainers, are made from clear plastic. They fit snugly over the teeth to hold them in position after braces. Clear retainers are removable so you can take them out for eating, brushing, and cleaning.

Advantages of clear plastic retainers:

• Nearly invisible on the teeth
• Can be taken out for eating, brushing, flossing
• Easy to clean
• Allow some natural tooth movement

Disadvantages of clear retainers:

• Can be lost or broken if not cared for properly
• May distort if exposed to heat
• Can affect speech for the first few days

Hawley Retainers

The Hawley retainer has a metal wire that runs across the front teeth with an acrylic plate that sits against the palate (roof of the mouth). The wire keeps the front teeth in position while the acrylic prevents backward drift.

Advantages of Hawley retainers:

• Strong and durable
• Allows natural tongue movements
• Less likely to affect speech
• Easier to adjust than clear plastic

Disadvantages of Hawley retainers:

• Visible metal wires
• Can be bulky in the mouth
• May need professional adjustments
• Can break if wire bends

Bonded Retainers

Bonded retainers are fixed wire retainers that are glued to the back of the front teeth. An orthodontist bonds the wire to the inner surface of the upper and/or lower front teeth. The wire holds them in position and cannot be removed except by an orthodontist.

Advantages of bonded retainers:

• Invisible
• Cannot be lost or forgotten
• Convenient long-term option

Disadvantages of bonded retainers:

• Difficult to floss and brush around
• May need dental visits to repair or replace
• Can break or loosen over time

Caring for Your Retainer

To get the most out of retainers, proper care and cleaning are essential:

• Always follow your orthodontist's instructions
• Wear the retainer exactly as directed
• Rinse clear retainers before putting them in your mouth
• Brush retainers daily with toothpaste and rinse well
• Soak clear retainers in cleaning solution regularly
• Avoid hot water with clear retainers
• Don't use toothpaste with bonded retainers to avoid scratching
• See your dentist regularly to check retainer fit

Storing Retainers

It's important to store retainers properly when not wearing them:

• Keep clear retainers in a case to prevent loss or damage
• Don't wrap them in tissue or paper towels
• Store at room temperature
• Keep away from hot places like cars
• Never soak in hot water
• Ask about cold storage options for minimal wear

Retainer Problems and Solutions

Lost or Broken Retainer

If a clear plastic retainer is lost or broken, call your orthodontist immediately to get a replacement. Wearing your other retainer full-time until it is fixed. For bonded retainers, make an appointment as soon as possible for repair or replacement.

Loose Retainer

If a clear retainer becomes loose, temporarily switch to wearing it full-time until you can see your orthodontist. Stop wearing a bonded retainer if it feels loose and schedule an appointment for re-cementing.

Retainer Not Fitting

If a clear retainer feels too tight or like it doesn't fit anymore, stop wearing it. The teeth may have shifted slightly. Wear the second retainer if you have one until you can be seen. Bonded retainers can't be adjusted at home so schedule an orthodontist visit.

Speech Problems

Clear retainers can temporarily affect speech when you first get them. Practice talking with them in place and give it a couple days to adjust. If speech problems persist, let your orthodontist know so they can adjust the fit.

Soreness

It's normal for clear retainers to cause slight soreness at first. To help with discomfort, put orthodontic wax over problem spots temporarily. Avoid taking pain medication before insertion so you don't mask serious problems.

Halitosis and White Tongue

Clear retainers that aren't cleaned properly can harbor bacteria and cause bad breath. Brush and rinse your retainer daily. Soak it in a denture cleaning solution regularly. See your dentist promptly if you notice an unusual white tongue.

Key Takeaways

Dental retainers are important appliances for keeping teeth straight after braces. Clear, Hawley, and bonded retainers all have pros and cons. Retainers must be worn as directed for the prescribed period of time, often many months or years. Proper cleaning, care, and storage will help retainers last. See your orthodontist regularly and follow their retainer wear instructions for the best results.

FAQs

How long do you have to wear retainers after braces?

Most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers full-time for the first 6 months after braces. After that, you switch to nighttime wear only for around 12 months. Total retainer wear is typically 1-2 years but can be longer if needed.

Can you eat with clear plastic retainers in?

No, clear plastic retainers should be removed for eating and drinking anything other than cool water. They can break or warp if exposed to hot foods and beverages.

How often do you have to get retainers replaced?

Clear plastic retainers need replacement every 6-12 months on average. Bonded wire retainers may need replacement less often but over time the bond can fail and wires may break or loosen.

How do you clean retainers?

Clear plastic retainers should be brushed daily with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, then rinsed. Soaking in denture cleaner regularly helps remove bacteria and prevent odors. Avoid hot water.

Can retainers change your bite?

Improperly worn retainers can alter your bite over time. See your orthodontist regularly to check the fit and ensure you are wearing the retainers correctly.