Why Are Retainers So Important?

One of the best feelings is reaching the final day of your orthodontic treatment. You finally get to enjoy your beautiful, straight smile! There is, however, one final step in your orthodontic journey that you can’t overlook or forget about. After your treatment, your orthodontist will provide you with a plastic retention retainer or a fixed permanent retainer to keep your teeth from moving. Retainers are a crucial part of your orthodontic journey.

What Do Retainers Do?

Both plastic removable retainers and fixed metal retainers can make a huge difference in keeping your smile in place after your orthodontic treatment is complete. Because teeth naturally shift every day, they are prone to move back to their original positions from before orthodontic intervention. Retainers are designed to keep teeth from shifting so that you can enjoy your new smile for a lifetime.

How Often Should I Wear My Retainer After Orthodontic Treatment?

If you have a removable retainer, orthodontists recommend wearing them every night when you sleep. Adequate wear time is crucial to protect your smile’s alignment. For permanent retainers, they will be bonded in place so you don’t have to worry about putting them in before bed. If you lose your plastic retainer or your permanent retainer is damaged, contact your orthodontist right away. It only takes a few days for your teeth to begin to shift. The sooner you replace your retainer, the better!

Start Your Orthodontic Journey with Us!

If you are ready to start orthodontic treatment or you’ve lost your removable retainer, we can help! At Summit Family Orthodontics, we offer a wide range of orthodontic services and make custom-fitted retainers in-house. We’ll be by your side through every phase of your orthodontic treatment. Please contact our office today to schedule your consultation or to ask our team a question!

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Categorised in: Braces