Maintain Your Beautiful Smile After Your Braces Come Off
Retainers are used to “retain” the new position of your teeth. After braces have been used to straighten your teeth, they will try to shift back to their old position for the rest of your life. Wearing a retainer prevents such a relapse by keeping your teeth in place. Retainers are for a lifetime!
Types of Retainers
Upper Bonded Retainers
Upper bonded retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of the upper front teeth to prevent your teeth from shifting. These retainers are attached permanently. Be careful when chewing hard, sticky or crunchy foods, as these could dislodge the retainer. It is important to brush and floss the retainer every day. Each time you brush and floss, check to make sure the retainer is securely attached. If your retainer feels loose or becomes dislodged, call the office immediately to set up an appointment for repair.
Essix (clear) Retainers
An Essix retainer can be worn on the top and/or bottom teeth and look very similar to a clear aligner. You will be given a special case for your retainer; please make sure you keep them in this case when not wearing it! To clean these retainers, brush them with toothpaste using cold water.
Maxillary Hawley
A Hawley retainer is removable and can be worn on the top and/or bottom teeth. You will be given a special case for your retainer; please make sure you keep them in this case when not wearing it! To clean these retainers, brush them with toothpaste using cold water.
Your retainer should be removed when participating in sports that require a mouth guard or while swimming.
Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so wearing your retainer as instructed by Dr. Backus will make you smile for a lifetime!
Lower Bonded Retainer
Bonded lingual retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of your lower front six teeth. This is one of the best ways to prevent your lower teeth from shifting as it is permanently attached! Patients with bonded lingual retainers must be careful with their bite as the bonding material may break due to incorrect biting and cause teeth to shift quickly. It is important to brush and floss the retainer every day. Each time you brush and floss, check to make sure the retainer is securely attached. If your retainer feels loose or becomes dislodged, call the office immediately to set up an appointment for repair.
Other Appliances
Motion Appliance
We love this appliance that is used to treat overbites or underbites. The Motion appliance can be used with braces and clear aligners, and is a great alternative to headgear or bulky appliances cemented in the roof of your mouth!
Schedule Your Consultation
Come see us at our Birmingham or Sylacauga office today for your complimentary consultation! Dr. Backus will thoroughly examine your teeth and jaw relationships. If any malocclusions (bad bites) or other orthodontic problems do exist then she will advise you on the best treatment plan for you.
We look forward to meeting you!