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It’s exciting to say goodbye to your braces or clear aligners; however, you still have to work to preserve your newly straightened smile. Learn how to make your straight teeth last a lifetime.
Undergoing orthodontic treatment is a great way to benefit your oral health, whether you choose braces or clear aligners. When your teeth and jaw are in alignment, not only does your self-confidence get a boost, but your risks for gum disease and tooth decay drop significantly as well.
It’s important to know that after you complete your initial orthodontic treatment, your teeth will want to shift back to their original positions. So, to make sure your investments of time and money aren’t wasted, you need to complete the final phase of treatment: wearing a retainer.
At Hanachi Orthodontics in Mooresville, North Carolina, our team, led by Farid Hanachi, DDS, PA, wants to help you preserve the smile you worked so hard to achieve.
So, in this month’s blog, we discuss why your teeth can still shift even after braces or clear aligners and explain why a retainer helps mitigate that risk.
Why your teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment
You can’t see it or feel it, but your teeth are always on the move. Simple everyday actions such as chewing, talking, or clenching your jaw stimulate movement, causing your teeth to shift positions. This process will continue even after your teeth have been straightened with braces or clear aligners.
In addition to these natural shifts, undergoing orthodontic treatment moves your teeth from their natural positions. Once the braces come off or you finish wearing your aligner trays, your teeth want to move right back to what’s familiar.
How retainers help preserve your new smile
Because your teeth are always on the move and aren’t used to their new positions, you need to encourage them to stay put in their new homes by wearing a retainer, a customized dental device that “retains” your new smile.
There are a few different retainer options that we offer at Hanachi Orthodontics. Here’s a closer look at each one:
Removable
Removable retainers are customized devices that can be made of metal or clear plastic, depending on your preferences.
For optimal results, you need to wear your retainer as often as instructed. In the beginning stages, your retainer needs to be worn any time you’re not eating or cleaning your teeth. After a few months, you can simply wear the retainer at night.
Fixed
If you don’t want to worry about caring for or losing a removable retainer, we also offer fixed retainers. Typically, these are used for only the bottom teeth, but you can choose to do a fixed retainer for the top set as well.
Fixed retainers are metal wires that are cemented to the back of your teeth to keep them from shifting after braces or clear aligners.
To learn more about your retainer options or to ask any questions about retainer care, contact our team by calling our office or schedule an appointment online today.