Orthodontic retainers hold teeth in place after braces are removed or treat minor spacing problems. There are three main types: Hawley, Essix, and permanent. Proper care and cleaning are essential, and they must be worn as prescribed by an orthodontist to be effective.
An orthodontic retainer is an appliance that is typically used to hold teeth in place after braces are removed or to treat minor tooth spacing problems. Retainers are usually made from plastic or metal wires that are customized to fit the teeth. After an orthodontist removes the braces that repositioned the teeth, a retainer is typically worn for a minimum of nine months to prevent the teeth from moving into their previous positions.
The periodontal ligaments are fibers of tissue that connect the teeth to its bony sockets. When braces are attached to the teeth, they put pressure on the ligaments so that the teeth can be straightened or otherwise repositioned. Once the braces are removed, the periodontal ligaments will naturally return to their original positions. An orthodontic retainer is worn on the teeth to hold them in place until the periodontal ligaments permanently adjust to the new positioning.
There are three main types of orthodontic retainers: Hawley, Essix, and permanent. A Hawley retainer tends to be the most common type of retainer. It is made of wire that holds the teeth in place and clear or colored acrylic that is molded to fit the inside roof of the mouth. This variety of retainer is removable.
An Essix retainer is made of clear plastic made from a mold of your teeth. It is made up of two pieces, one to fit the top row of teeth and one for the bottom row. Essix retainer styles can also be used in place of braces to straighten or correct minor tooth problems.
While most orthodontic retainers are removable and not permanently worn, some major cases may require a permanent retainer secured in the mouth. A permanent retainer is bonded to the back of the teeth for severe tooth spacing problems that do not permanently reset. Permanent retainers are only recommended for major dental situations because they are difficult to clean, which can potentially lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
Proper care and cleaning are essential for orthodontic retainers. Removable retainers should be removed before eating to prevent food from sticking to them. They should be cleaned every time a person brushes their teeth after a meal. The retainers can be brushed gently with a toothbrush or cleaned with a commercial orthodontic retainer cleaning powder.
An orthodontic retainer must be worn as prescribed by an orthodontist to be effective. Many retainers need to be worn all the time for the first nine months after braces are removed, but some people may need to continue to wear them a couple days a week or even every night for the rest of their lives to keep their teeth from shifting. If the retainers are not worn properly for the prescribed length of time, the teeth can return to their old positions and braces may need to be reapplied.
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