The team at Kovacs Orthodontics is proud of you for sticking to your treatment plan and taking good care of your teeth throughout the orthodontic process! Now that you’re close to the end of the active phase of treatment, it can be tempting to think you’re totally out of the woods. While you won’t have to deal with braces or clear aligners anymore, there is a second phase of treatment still to come: retention. We’ve got everything you need to know about retainers to make your transition as smooth as possible!
Retention rounds out the treatment process and plays a vital role in maintaining your newly straightened smile. You’ve probably heard us talk about how important retainers are, but you may not understand exactly why. Since retention relies on retainers (surprise!), it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with this orthodontic staple before you get your braces off or use your last aligner. Keep reading to learn more about the basics of retainers, the different types we offer, and how regular wear will give you long-lasting results!
Why are retainers so important?
As we get older, it’s not uncommon to see a slight shifting occur with our teeth. This phenomenon, known as “relapse,” will usually begin in your late teens or early twenties. It refers to the natural tendency of the teeth to drift back towards their original positions, something that can happen even after orthodontic treatment has been completed. Retainers are the key to preventing this type of relapse—they hold your teeth in their new positions and keep natural drifting at bay.
Time to get a little technical! Teeth are not just fixtures in the jaw—each one is held in its socket by elastic ligaments that hold the roots to the bone. These ligaments are actually living tissues that are affected by the movement of the teeth, and it’s this attachment that allows for the small movements of the teeth during treatment.
Orthodontic appliances like braces and aligners are used to place tension in and around the teeth, which helps your body create new ligaments and reposition old ones. This is known as the remodeling phase of treatment. Once this is complete, the newly-formed tissues, ligaments, and bone will all need time to stabilize, or get used to their new positions. Then comes the retention phase. If there is nothing to hold the teeth in place during this phase, they will almost always drift back to their old positions.
So what does all that mean for you? If you don’t wear your retainer as directed by Dr. Kovacs once your active phase is complete, your teeth will eventually start shifting back to their old positions and you’ll lose all your hard work. The good news is, it’s easy to avoid relapse! Keeping your teeth in place is as simple as wearing your retainer as directed by your orthodontist. Dr. Kovacs will choose the best type of retainer for you based on your unique needs, preferences, and expected compliance.
What types of retainers are available?
Just like our fixed appliances (braces) and removable appliances (clear aligners), we also have fixed and removable retainers available for your retention phase. Removable retainers are further categorized as Hawley or Essix retainers. We’ll explore their features in a little more detail here.
Fixed retainers
Fixed retainers generally consist of a thin wire that’s bonded behind the bottom or top teeth, or sometimes both. These can be a particularly helpful option for Kovacs Orthodontics patients who have or had a large space between the two upper front teeth. Once treatment is complete and the space is completely closed, a fixed retainer can be used to keep it that way.
Since the wire stretches across several teeth, dental hygiene is similar to that of a braces patient. If you have a fixed retainer, you’ll need to be especially careful with brushing and flossing to ensure it stays clean. Because the bonded wire holds your newly straightened teeth in the ideal alignment over a long period, fixed retainers often have excellent outcomes—and you’ll never forget to put them in!
Removable retainers
When it comes to removable retainers, there are a couple of different options available. The Hawley and Essix models are both custom-designed to fit your mouth following treatment. When you complete the active phase of treatment, our team will take an impression of your teeth and use this to create your retainer.
Hawley retainers
Hawley retainers are one of the oldest types of retainers and the type you’ll most likely recognize! Made of stainless steel, these retainers are held in place with a wire that’s wrapped around your teeth. That wire is combined with an acrylic arch that rests against the roof of your mouth, and it can be adjusted to continue minor movement of the front teeth if needed. Although many orthodontists are moving away from using this more traditional retainer, it can still be very useful in certain cases.
Essix retainers
Essix retainers are made entirely of transparent plastic and look very similar to the clear aligners used with the Invisalign system. Each one is molded to the unique shape of the patient’s mouth and may cover the entire arch of the teeth or only go from canine to canine. This type of retainer is very subtle and should last as long as you need it, provided you care for it properly.
Cleaning your teeth is easier with either of these removable retainers, but you’ll have to remember to wear them every day. They can also be pretty easy to misplace or damage! If you’re given an Essix retainer, you’ll need to be mindful of where it is at all times and be careful when handling it.
Keep your smile straight with retainers from Kovacs Orthodontics
In the first year after treatment, it can sometimes take only a few days for your teeth to begin shifting back to their original positions. This will continue if you don’t wear your retainer as directed by Dr. Kovacs! Modern orthodontic wisdom tells us that most patients will need to wear some type of retainer indefinitely after the teeth have been straightened, but don’t worry! Caring for your retainer will become just another part of your daily routine before you know it.
At Kovacs Orthodontics, our expert team is committed to finding exactly the right orthodontic treatment for you. That includes the type of retainer that will serve you best! For more information about retention after orthodontic treatment, get in touch with us today to schedule a visit or FREE consultation at our offices in Billings or Miles City. We’re here to help you achieve a beautifully aligned smile that lasts a lifetime!