As with all dental treatment, orthodontic treatment requires some after care and maintenance for continued success. The key component of orthodontic after care is the retainer.
What is a retainer? A retainer is a device which is issued after orthodontic treatment is completed (braces are removed). There are 3 common designs:
1) Fixed lingual retainer - a flexible wire bonded permanently behind the front teeth.
2) Hawley/spring-aligner retainer - these devices have metal and plastic components and the wires and plastic plate help hold the teeth in place
3) Transparent plastic overlay retainer - this is a relatively rigid plastic piece molded to the shape of the teeth and which fits closely over the teeth. This is the most common type of retainer and is the usual type issued to our patients.
What is a retainer? A retainer is a device which is issued after orthodontic treatment is completed (braces are removed). There are 3 common designs:
1) Fixed lingual retainer - a flexible wire bonded permanently behind the front teeth.
2) Hawley/spring-aligner retainer - these devices have metal and plastic components and the wires and plastic plate help hold the teeth in place
3) Transparent plastic overlay retainer - this is a relatively rigid plastic piece molded to the shape of the teeth and which fits closely over the teeth. This is the most common type of retainer and is the usual type issued to our patients.
Why are retainers necessary?
The position of our teeth continue to change throughout life due to the effect of the surrounding muscles and changes in the bones. This is a long term process that can lead to changes in the bite or in the alignment of the teeth.
In addition, teeth have the tendency to return to their original position after orthodontic treatment. This is called relapse. Therefore, retainers are provided to minimize this and ensure stability of the treatment outcome.
When you will receive your retainers
The retainers are usually issued within few days after the braces are removed. If you miss your appointment, please arrange for another as soon as possible.
What to expect Initially: retainers may be tight and this may result in pain. However, the retainers must still be worn as the discomfort will soon subside. Inconsistent wear will result in prolonged discomfort. Take some painkiller (eg Paracetamol) when necessary.
Problems such as speech difficulty( lisping) and increases salivation should subside with continual use.
How to use your retainers. The normal usage recommended is:
1) First 6 months - Full time wear. Only removed for eating, brushing and important social occasions
2) Second 6 months - Night time wear every night
3) Subsequently - Part time night time wear (2-3 nights a week)
The position of our teeth continue to change throughout life due to the effect of the surrounding muscles and changes in the bones. This is a long term process that can lead to changes in the bite or in the alignment of the teeth.
In addition, teeth have the tendency to return to their original position after orthodontic treatment. This is called relapse. Therefore, retainers are provided to minimize this and ensure stability of the treatment outcome.
When you will receive your retainers
The retainers are usually issued within few days after the braces are removed. If you miss your appointment, please arrange for another as soon as possible.
What to expect Initially: retainers may be tight and this may result in pain. However, the retainers must still be worn as the discomfort will soon subside. Inconsistent wear will result in prolonged discomfort. Take some painkiller (eg Paracetamol) when necessary.
Problems such as speech difficulty( lisping) and increases salivation should subside with continual use.
How to use your retainers. The normal usage recommended is:
1) First 6 months - Full time wear. Only removed for eating, brushing and important social occasions
2) Second 6 months - Night time wear every night
3) Subsequently - Part time night time wear (2-3 nights a week)
*Where there is any doubt about the stability of the positions of your teeth, you should go back to full time wear immediately.
**Not wearing the retainers for extended periods will result in relapse, i.e: your teeth will shift such that subsequent wear will likely cause discomfort.
How to care for your retainers
All orthodontic patients (especially adult patients) should expect to wear retainers on a part time basis indefinitely as long as they want the teeth to be straight.
Retainers need to be replaced periodically due to wear and tear.
How long do orthodontic retainers last?
Like everything else orthodontic retainers do wear out and become loose. It would be considered normal to have a retainer replaced every 1-3 years depending on the level of use. Other factors like the level of bite force and whether there is significant night grinding might even make the retainers wear out faster and need more frequent replacement than this.
Note that Hawley retainers also need to be checked and replaced regularly as the plastic components wear out and the wires can become distorted over time resulting in poor fit (which is sometimes as good as no retainer at all!)
**Not wearing the retainers for extended periods will result in relapse, i.e: your teeth will shift such that subsequent wear will likely cause discomfort.
How to care for your retainers
- Remove the retainer during meals, when brushing teeth and for activities such as swimming and sea/water sports.
- The retainers can be removed for important events such as oral examinations, interviews, wedding etc. However, do not leave the retainers out for more than 12 hours in the first 6 months.
- Keep your retainers in the Retainer case/box provided or any other suitable container. (Most patients lose their retainers when they are removed for meals)
- The retainers should be cleaned frequently with toothbrush and liquid soap or toothpaste
- It is also common to see white/yellow deposits or stains on the retainers after a few weeks. If it is difficult to remove, leave them as long as the retainers clean.
All orthodontic patients (especially adult patients) should expect to wear retainers on a part time basis indefinitely as long as they want the teeth to be straight.
Retainers need to be replaced periodically due to wear and tear.
How long do orthodontic retainers last?
Like everything else orthodontic retainers do wear out and become loose. It would be considered normal to have a retainer replaced every 1-3 years depending on the level of use. Other factors like the level of bite force and whether there is significant night grinding might even make the retainers wear out faster and need more frequent replacement than this.
Note that Hawley retainers also need to be checked and replaced regularly as the plastic components wear out and the wires can become distorted over time resulting in poor fit (which is sometimes as good as no retainer at all!)
What can I do if I lose/damage my retainers while on overseas assignment?
It is not an emergency, but it is important to have the retainers replaced as quickly as possible. You should usually continue to wear your retainers even if they are damaged, unless they are causing discomfort or in a totally unusable state.
At the end of the orthodontic treatment, we keep a record of your teeth. For a small fee, we can use those records to fabricate new retainers and mail them to you. (It is important to note that we will only be able to use the last records we have of your case and if the teeth have moved/changed in any significant way such retainers made in this way may not fit anymore)
Some patients may also request for additional sets before they embark on their journey or get enlisted to their in-camp training.
It is not an emergency, but it is important to have the retainers replaced as quickly as possible. You should usually continue to wear your retainers even if they are damaged, unless they are causing discomfort or in a totally unusable state.
At the end of the orthodontic treatment, we keep a record of your teeth. For a small fee, we can use those records to fabricate new retainers and mail them to you. (It is important to note that we will only be able to use the last records we have of your case and if the teeth have moved/changed in any significant way such retainers made in this way may not fit anymore)
Some patients may also request for additional sets before they embark on their journey or get enlisted to their in-camp training.