Are retainers used just for maintenance after braces removal?
Retainers are custom-made orthodontic devices, usually made of metal or clear plastic. Typically, they hold teeth securely in position following treatment with braces, surgery or any other method of straightening or realigning the teeth. Every retainer is custom-made for each patient. Retainers keep teeth from moving, loosening, shifting, wiggling or returning to their original unaligned position following treatment with braces.
In addition to “retaining” the position of teeth after braces, retainers can also help correct speech impediments, aid in fixing gaps between teeth, correct an isolated crooked tooth, and other medical issues. According to the International Journal of Dentistry, wearing your retainer correctly helps keep teeth aligned, thus diminishing the risk of poor general or oral health. A lesser-known advantage is that retainers can help some patients breathe better and some to control snoring while sleeping. Some patients also see an improvement in speech as a result of orthodontic treatment and wearing a retainer.
If your teeth aren’t especially crooked and just need a few adjustments, a Hawley retainer can get the job done just as well as braces. They are typically easier to care for and more hygienic than braces because they are removable.
Hawley retainers are designed to “retain” or hold teeth in position via the use of gentle force and pressure on the teeth. The retainer consists of a plastic body that typically covers a portion of the roof of the mouth or sits behind the lower teeth. Metal wires and clasps attached to the plastic body allow the retainer to be anchored to specific teeth.
Most patients will wear retainers only after they have finished braces. But some patients, with easily correctable teeth or speech impediments, may find success with only retainers. At Sequence Orthodontics, we recommend that our patients wear their retainers all the time in the in the first year immediately following orthodontic treatment (except when eating or playing sports). After the first year of full-time retainer wear, we highly recommend that patients continue to wear their retainers on a part-time (6-8 hours per day) basis for the rest of their life. We know that everything in our bodies change as we get older, teeth are no different and will want to move around with time. Retainer wear will prevent this from happening. If you would like to discuss a retainer for you or your child to maintain or improve your appearance and oral health, contact the friendly staff at Sequence Orthodontics at our convenient Waldorf or Leonardtown offices, serving residents of Charles County or St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
