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You finally made it through the pain and all the suffering to get that perfect smile. But how do you maintain that perfect smile after all the hard work? The word you're looking for is ‘retainers’!
What Are Retainers?
Retainers are a type of orthodontic device used to maintain the position of your teeth after braces.
They are typically made from clear plastic and metal wires that fit snugly over your teeth and hold them in place.
Retainers help keep your teeth aligned, reducing the chance of relapse or improper bite development.
Retainers must be worn for an extended period after getting braces removed to ensure stability.
Your orthodontist will provide instructions on how long they should be worn, but it is generally recommended to wear them full-time for at least 6 weeks and then switch to nighttime wear only (at least 10 hours per day).
If wearing a retainer overnight causes discomfort, talk to your orthodontist about switching to a different kind or design.
In this blog, we are going to tell you about retainers after braces and everything you need to know about them!
Read on!
Types of Retainers Available After Braces:
Retainers are an essential part of the orthodontic process. After your braces come off, you must wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new positions.
There are several types of retainers available including fixed and removable varieties, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
1. Removable Retainers
Removable retainers are made of a series of wires that fit into holes in your teeth.
They come in different sizes, and each size is designed to replace one or more teeth. You can get them with clear or coloured bands and even metallic bands.
Removable retainers are made from clear plastic or metal wires that wrap around your upper or lower teeth.
They are designed to be comfortable and easy to use — simply pop them out when eating, brushing, or flossing.
Removable retainers typically require regular adjustments by your orthodontist to ensure they fit snugly against your teeth but can also be replaced if they become damaged or worn down.
2. Fixed Retainers
Fixed retainers are made of metal wires and are attached to your teeth permanently. They don't come in different sizes, but they do have contours that allow them to fit snugly around your teeth.
Fixed retainers consist of a thin wire bonded onto the fixed retainers backs of one or more of your teeth. Unlike removable retainers, fixed retainers cannot be removed and must remain in place for as long as recommended by your orthodontist.
This type of retainer is usually used for patients with severe misalignments that require additional stabilization after treatment, such as those needing extra help straightening their front teeth.
Fixed retainers may also provide longer-lasting results than removable ones since they do not need to be adjusted or replaced often.
3. Pinch Retainers
Pinch Retainers have adjustable pieces that fit around each tooth individually.
So, when you bite down on these retainers, they push against all three teeth at once rather than just one at a time like other types do.
How Long Should I Wear My Retainer Braces?
The best way to learn how long you need to wear your retainer is by getting an opinion from a dentist. It's important to know that the length of time you should wear your retainer depends on the type of braces you have. Retainers are made for different lengths of treatment and different types of braces.
For example, if you have traditional metal braces, a clear plastic retainer is usually recommended for about six months after your treatment ends. But if you have clear aligners or Invisalign, you may only need to wear a retainer for two months.
As with any new process, the timing of your retainer will vary depending on your case. We recommend that you wear a retainer for at least three months after the brace is removed.
If you are still in the middle of healing and have not yet started wearing the retainer, we recommend waiting until at least two to three weeks after your final brace treatment before wearing your retainer.
It also depends on how much of the tooth has been restored during the process. If only the crown was restored, then you will have to wear it for about 6 months until your bite returns to its original position.
If all of the tooth, including the root, was replaced, then you will need to wear your retainer for about 1 year after the braces are removed.
Another way to determine how long you should wear your retainer is by taking an X-ray at the start of treatment and at regular intervals afterwards. Your orthodontist will be able to tell whether or not there has been enough movement in the teeth during treatment.
If there has not been enough movement in any one tooth, then it may be necessary to remove that particular retainer sooner than expected and replace it with a new one.
Your doctor may recommend that you wear an elastic retainer for an extended period if it helps with comfort and function.
This type of retention is typically worn for 6 months or longer after braces are removed and does not require any special care or maintenance by the patient.
The Cost of Retainers After Braces
Retainers are not covered by insurance. They are considered restorative dental work and therefore not covered.
The average cost of braces starts from around Rs. 45,000 onwards per arch, depending on where they are placed and how many brackets need to be made to create them.
As far as retainers go, we've seen the cost of retainers range anywhere from Rs. 3500 onwards for a basic system up to Rs. 5000 onwards for a full retainer kit with tooth-coloured material and screws included!
Permanent retainers range in price from 3000 to 5000 rupees each jaw. They are excellent for preventing treatment recurrence as long as you maintain cleanliness by brushing thoroughly.
They are connected to and glued to the rear surface of the teeth. You may get this service with Dezy too. They are fair and decent in our opinion.
Conclusion
The fact that you're reading this tells us that you've been through the struggle of getting braces, wearing them and now having them taken off.
We bet it's a challenge to wear a retainer because it's difficult to adjust to the feel of it in your mouth. Because retainers are so important in completing teeth alignment treatment, always wear them after removing your braces.
This will help improve and maintain your teeth' alignment, preventing them from moving back to their previous position. But trust us, you have to wear it, especially right after your braces have come off.
To summarize, retention is a must and you have to know how to wear your retainer after braces so you can achieve great results.
Follow these steps religiously, and you will be able to get that happy ending with your braces treatment.
