Invisalign and braces are a great way of restoring the alignment of your teeth, but they may not be enough to retain it. Retainers ensure that the time and money invested in Invisalign or braces is not vain. After completing your Invisalign treatment, you may need Brooklyn retainers to preserve that perfect alignment of your teeth.
Retainers 101
Retainers are custom-made orthodontic devices that align your teeth and prevent them from shifting out of place after orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign or braces. The retainers may be permanent, consisting of a wire that Dr. Liebman cements to your teeth, and only he can remove them. You may also consider removable retainers, which you can remove without medical help. Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics offers two types of retainers, including:
- Hawley retainer
Hawley trainers have a plastic part that Dr. Liebman fits against your palate and attaches a wire on the front of your teeth. He creates a personalized retainer to ensure that it fits perfectly and does not cause any oral injuries.
- Clear plastic retainers
Your provider needs impressions of your mouth and uses them to create custom clear plastic retainers that fit perfectly. These retainers are hardly noticeable, meaning that you can smile confidently without feeling self-conscious.
What happens if you fail to wear your retainer?
Over time your teeth may move out of place, distorting your perfectly symmetrical smile. After finishing your orthodontic treatment, you may think that your teeth will stay in place. However, failure to wear your retainer may allow your teeth to shift out of place; a process called relapsing. If you decline to wear your retainers for several weeks or months, your teeth may move, and the retainer may not fit your teeth anymore.
How can you care for your retainer?
The key to caring for your retainers is practicing good oral hygiene. You may also need to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions regarding storing, cleaning, and wearing your retainers. If you have fixed retainers, you may need to floss between the wires to prevent plaque accumulation. If you have removable retainers, Dr. Liebman may recommend taking them out before you eat, soaking them in water intermittently, and storing them in their case after taking them out. The success and durability of your retainers rely on your ability to care for and wear your retainer diligently. If you have any questions, you can discuss them with the caring team at Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics.
After how long can you stop wearing a retainer?
Brooklyn Height Orthodontics specialists recommend removable retainers after completing your Invisalign treatment. Your provider may recommend wearing retainers daily for at least nine months and then switching to nightly wear. If you are interested in preserving your symmetric smile, you need to wear your retainer for life, replacing it after several years. Regardless of the type of retainer your doctor recommends, the instructions may still state that you wear the retainer indefinitely.
Call the Brooklyn Heights Orthodontics office or book your spot online to get a retainer to preserve your attractiveness.
