Teeth Retainers: Modern Solutions To Prevent Ortho Relapse

Have you noticed a change in the alignment of your teeth, even after an orthodontic treatment? Well, this may be because you may have failed to use your retainers properly.  This dental device helps keep your teeth in proper alignment for years to come. 

Retainers offered by the dentist in Lakeview, Chicago, and their team help keep your teeth in the corrected alignment post-orthodontic treatment and prevent relapse.

What is a retainer?

A teeth retainer is a custom-made dental appliance that is fabricated for use after your orthodontic treatment, such as braces. This device helps to keep your teeth in their new, correct position and prevents relapse. 

There are two main types of retainers, namely:

• Fixed retainer

These are also known as permanent retainers that stay on your teeth with the help of a glue-like bonding agent. They are often used for the front, lower, or upper arch to prevent them from drifting. 

• Removable retainer 

These can be removed from your mouth when needed. A traditional retainer is made up of an acrylic plate that is supported by a metal wire framework. Currently, there are clear retainers available that do not have wires. 

What are the reasons for using a retainer?

The following are the significant reasons why retainers are used:

1. They maintain the corrected alignment of the teeth
2. They help stabilize your bite
3. They maintain space for wisdom teeth and new tooth eruption
4. They prevent relapse of orthodontic problems like crowding and crooked teeth.
5. They effectively align your jawbone with the gums

How are retainers fabricated?

The process of getting retainers depends on the type you get:

• For removable retainers 

1. 1. 1. Your dentist will record oral impressions of your teeth using dental putty. 
      2. The impressions will be sent to the lab to create a working model to fabricate the plastic or acrylic teeth retainer. 
      3. Instructions will be given to use them appropriately.

• For fixed retainers 

1. 1. Your dentist will use metal wires to measure the correct placement of your teeth.
   2. A special bonding agent will be used to fix the wire in place.
   3. You will not require any impressions or lab work to get fixed retainers. 
   4. Your dentist will get them fixed, and you will leave the clinic with your retainer in place. 

Takeaway 

It is essential to use retainers after braces, or else your teeth will revert to the way they were before orthodontic treatment. If you ignore your retainers, an orthodontic relapse will occur, which may require extensive treatment to fix.