Retainers

Why Are Dental Retainers Necessary?

Dental retainers help maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment. With your first visit, you will be on your way to the ultimate smile. A quality retainer can preserve your aligned smile for years and years to come. Removing your braces can be exciting, but do not forget that teeth can drift back if not properly retained. Orthodontic relapse is the natural tendency for teeth to become misaligned once again. Wearing a retainer prevents this by stabilizing your smile and protecting your investment.

The periodontal ligaments help to anchor the teeth in the jawbone. These ligaments stretch and adjust as your teeth move into alignment. After removing braces, however, these structures will still be pliant and need time to stabilize. If you do not wear a retainer, these ligaments’ elastic memory will pull the teeth back to where they were before braces. It takes time for the jawbone to remodel around the new position of your teeth. A retainer allows complete remodeling and prevents teeth from moving back after aligner treatment.

In addition to ligament memory, chewing, speaking, clenching, and other daily activities, occlusal forces can shift your tooth implant. Teeth are not static. They gradually move with daily pressures. If you stop wearing a retainer, the occlusal forces could move the teeth out of alignment, causing spacing or crowding issues. Using retainers keeps your teeth in place while bone and tissue solidify their position.

Retainers help keep your mouth healthy for a long time. Crooked teeth can exert uneven pressure when you bite, causing early wear, enamel erosion, and jaw pain. You will have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene if your teeth are crooked. Dirty teeth can increase the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. A retainer holds your teeth in their correct position, keeping your bite balanced and easier to clean, minimizing the risk of dental issues.

Orthodontists will develop a retention plan tailored to your unique teeth to ensure a lasting result.

You can have a removable retainer at night. You could also use a fixed retainer, which stays glued to the back of your teeth. Both devices will help keep your smile straight and healthy for years.

If you do not wear a retainer, it can seem like you are fine. However, a slight shift can create a noticeable change in your smile as time passes. Stick to your orthodontist’s retainer recommendations to prevent any further dental misalignment.

Types of Dental Retainers

Dental retainers are available in different options, each with unique benefits and challenges. There are two main categories of retainers: removable and fixed. Each type of retainer has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. All retainers assist in keeping teeth in line, but not equally so. It is important to understand the types of dental retainers and their features to make the right choice.

The main types of retainers include:

Hawley Retainer

The Hawley retainer has been around for a long time and is one of the most commonly used types. This type of removable retainer combines acrylic and wire. The acrylic base is crafted in the shape of the roof of the mouth or the floor of the lower jaw. Meanwhile, the wire circles the front of the teeth.

Hawley retainer is durable, which makes it very appealing. It can last several years, making it a cost-effective option for long-term teeth retention. This flexibility makes it suitable for patients who require varying adjustments due to slight changes in their dental positions.

Nonetheless, the Hawley retainer comes with some downsides. Its most apparent drawback is visibility. The visible metal wire arrangement in front of the teeth can be distracting. Hence, some patients may not prefer it. Moreover, since it is acrylic, the retainer can feel bulky and uncomfortable when you wear it for the first time. Moreover, the removable nature of the Hawley retainer makes its effectiveness depend on how often it is worn. If you are not careful wearing it or do not follow the orthodontist’s instructions, teeth can shift back to their original position.

Essix Retainer

The Essix retainer is a popular choice for aesthetic-conscious patients. The Essix retainer is made of clear plastic, which will fit over the teeth like an invisible aligner. It is perfect for those who want to keep up with orthodontics without drawing too much attention to it. It also snugly fits within the mouth, making it lightweight and comfortable. It does not feel like you have a dental device. With these features, the Essix retainer appeals to older teens and adults who do not want to be seen in a wire retainer.

Essix retainers also have some challenges despite their numerous advantages. Its fragility is a significant concern. The thin material is fragile and can dent or break easily when dropped or exposed to high temperatures. Moreover, the Essix retainer cannot be adjusted, which can be problematic. If your teeth move, an Essix retainer may need to be replaced, as it cannot be adjusted. Because of this inflexibility, the Essix retainer usually has a shorter life span than the Hawley retainer and generally needs to be replaced every one to two years.

Bonded Retainer

If you want a permanent solution, consider the bonded retainer. A bonded retainer has a thin metal wire bonded to the back of your teeth, generally your lower incisors, and glued there permanently using dental adhesive. This retainer is never taken out. Hence, retention is constant without requiring a patient’s compliance. Since it is fixed in place, there is no chance of forgetting to wear it or losing it.

The main advantage of a bonded retainer is its stability. It gives ongoing support, helping to stop the teeth from returning to their original positions.

However, it does have a few challenges. One of the main concerns is oral hygiene. To clean the wire, use a toothbrush, but flossing with dental floss could be challenging. This causes plaque to form, increasing the chance of gum disease and tooth decay. Patients with bonded retainers have to change their cleaning methods, for example, using floss threaders or water flossers. Moreover, if the wire is damaged or the bonding comes off the teeth, it should be fixed by a dentist, which is inconvenient and expensive.

Proper Care and Maintenance of Dental Retainers

After orthodontic treatment, it is helpful to wear dental retainers to maintain the teeth in the perfect position. However, a lot depends on how you take care of the retainers. Properly maintaining your retainer will ensure that it stays in good condition when you need it and does not give you any problems. Follow these care instructions to keep your retainers in good shape.

Cleaning Removable Retainers

It is important to clean your retainer correctly to prevent bacteria buildup and keep it in good shape. Hawley retainers are made of acrylic and metal wire. They are delicate, clean retainers with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. This helps to avoid scratching or damaging the materials.

On the other hand, to clean Essix retainers, which are made of clear plastic, use lukewarm water with a soft cloth to clean the surface and remove scratches. Soak your retainer in a cleaning solution approved by your dentist to keep it clean. Do not use any strong chemicals or boiling water on it. Soaking helps to disinfect retainers and remove buildup.

It is best to disinfect your retainer with a solution often to prevent the growth of bacteria on it. Do not use hot water, as it can warp the plastic or acrylic, especially the Essix retainer. The materials could be damaged if harsh chemicals are used with toothpaste. After soaking, please rinse well to wipe out any leftover cleaning solution.

You can also clean retainers with a common household item like baking soda for added cleaning power. Combine a small amount with water until a paste is formed. You can use a toothbrush to apply the paste and gently scrub the retainer. The baking soda and water will disinfect your retainer. Make sure you rinse the retainer out well after cleaning with this. Although baking soda can work, be gentle when cleaning so your retainer is not damaged.

If you maintain the hygiene of the retainers, you will prolong the device’s and your teeth’s life.

Storing Removable Retainers Safely

It is important to store your retainer correctly to prevent damage when not in use. Always put the retainer in a case whenever you are eating or playing sports when you are not using the retainer. This helps to keep it safe from physical harm and loss. Always clean the case with soap and water daily to avoid germ growth. Before putting a removable retainer in its case, always ensure it is dry. Otherwise, moisture inside the case will promote bacterial growth.

Since fixed retainers cannot be removed from the back of your teeth, you must be extra vigilant about these retainers. It is best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean fixed retainers. Be sure to reach the area around the wire. It may be hard to clean between the wire and teeth, so use floss threaders or a water flosser. Stay away from sticky or hard foods that might damage the wire.

Watch Out for Warning Signs

Knowing when to replace your retainer is key to keeping your teeth straight. As it wears out, it may not work as well anymore, causing a shifting of your smile. Each type of retainer has its own signs that tell you when to replace it.

1. Hawley Retainers

If you wear a Hawley retainer, check for cracks in the acrylic, bent wires, or other wear-and-tear signs. If your retainer fits loosely or shifts around in your mouth, it is likely warped because of heat or old age. If your retainer has a persistent odor or color that cannot be cleaned off, it is a sign that you need to replace the retainer. This usually happens after 2 to 5 years.

2. Essix Retainers

Look for cracks, holes, or cloudiness if you have Essix retainers. A worn-out Essix retainer does not fit properly because it becomes loose, stretched, tight, or shrinks. Your retainer may need to be replaced if you grind your teeth or expose it to a lot of heat. The average lifespan of a retainer is 1 to 3 years.

3. Bonded Retainers

You should be concerned if your bonded retainer wire is loose, broken, or detached. Act immediately if you feel the retainer is moving with your tongue or notice a slight shift in your teeth. Gum irritation or too much tartar buildup could require replacing the retainer every 5 to 10 years.

If your teeth begin shifting, your retainer is failing. When it starts cracking, does not fit well, or feels uncomfortable, see the orthodontist. Wearing your retainer as instructed will help your teeth stay straight.

Visit Your Dentists Per Your Dentist’s Recommendations

Make sure to visit your dentist often to ensure your retainer still works. During these visits, your dentist can clean the retainer professionally and remove any tough buildups, especially bonded retainers. You should seek professional care immediately if your retainer is broken, cracked, bent, or incorrectly fitting. If you pay prompt attention to these, you will not need a replacement, and your retainer can keep your teeth aligned successfully.

How Long Should You Wear the Retainers?

Wearing a retainer after moving your braces is advisable for best results. You must always wear your retainers for the first few months, typically about 12 to 24 hours a day. Take them out only for eating and brushing your teeth. Your teeth and their supporting structures are stabilizing during this time. After about 3 to 6 months, many patients switch to only wearing them at night for 6 to 12 months. Some orthodontists advise lifetime use at night to prevent having teeth shift back to their original crooked positions for people with a greater risk for relapse.

It can have serious consequences if you stop wearing your retainer too soon. Teeth tend to shift back to their previous position even with a retainer due to elastic memory. It takes a few months to years for bone remodeling to occur. If you stop too soon, your teeth can shift back, causing misalignment, bite issues, or further orthodontic work, which could be required. Fixed retainers are glued to your teeth, so you always get support. Removable ones like Hawley or Essix rely on you to wear them.

Taking care of your retainer ensures it works properly. If you have removable retainers, put them in your mouth with two hands. Avoid using your tongue to flip them into place. To keep fixed retainers clean, use a soft toothbrush to take a crack under the wire and floss threaders. Use a mild soap or denture cleaner daily to clean both your retainers. Keep removable retainers in a case when not in use. Call your dentist immediately if your retainer is uncomfortable or not fitting correctly.

The Cost of Retainers

Hawley retainers cost between $150 and $350 per retainer. A set costs between $300 and $600. They are durable but may cost more if customized. On the other hand, a single Essix retainer will set you back by about $100 to $250, while a whole set (2) costs anywhere from $200 to $500. They do not cost much but need to be replaced more often.

Bonded retainers will cost $250 to $500 per arch or $500 to $1,000 for both. While the initial placement is included in the treatment cost, you will have to pay for a replacement.

Orthodontists typically charge more for custom fittings, while online providers offer inexpensive options that may not fit accurately. Insurance would cover the first set, but they rarely cover replacements. Check with your dentist and insurance provider for exact costs.

Find a Reliable Dentist Near Me

Dental retainers are designed to maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment. Wearing your retainer all the time helps you to keep your straight teeth. Proper care, wearing them per your dentist’s recommendations, and regular dental checkups are necessary to prevent relapse and keep your smile at its best for as long as possible. You are investing in your orthodontic treatment for your future health and confidence.

If you are uncertain about your retainer options or need help choosing one, we at Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry can help.