Most orthodontic patients must wear a retainer right after their braces are removed so their teeth maintain their new positions. Removable retainers come in many forms, but some patients require permanent retainers. If you’ve never heard of them, you’re not alone.
We at the office of Windsor use a variety of techniques and appliances that are at the forefront of orthodontic care. These treatments offer a wide variety of benefits to each patient. Just some of those advantages include less discomfort, fewer dental visits and a shortened overall treatment time. Our priority is to provide dental healthcare solutions that best suit the needs of children and adults.
Braces did the “heavy lifting” to move your teeth into alignment, and retainers keep them in line. A permanent retainer isn’t actually permanent. It’s a straight or zig-zagged metal wire that’s affixed to the back of up to six front teeth—usually the lower set—using a composite material and curing light. Installing a straight or zig-zagged metal wire retainer takes about only 30 minutes.
Their location behind teeth makes them less visible and vulnerable to breakage. But those aspects don’t mean that wearers can ignore them. Permanent retainers need special attention. The retainer and its surrounding area must stay in top shape so it can continue to do its job.
Patients must maintain good oral hygiene with string flossing, brushing and water flossing. Hard foods, sticky candy, a mouth injury, or basic wear and tear can break or dislodge a wire. Tartar can stick to permanent retainers and eventually lead to periodontitis and serious damage to gums and teeth. Patients must keep up with preventive-care appointments.
And the end of a patient’s treatment, an orthodontist will have decided that a permanent retainer has been in place long enough to confirm enduring results. In other cases, though, the orthodontist will replace a permanent retainer with a removable retainer for part-time use.
We at the office of Windsor are experts in all aspects of orthodontics. We use the most modern techniques and equipment to perfect our patients’ dental health and appearance. Please call us today for an appointment.
