Whether you're in need of your first retainer after getting braces off, or you're in the market for a replacement, the first step is to get in touch with your dentist. Make an appointment today to be fitted for a new dental retainer in Erie, PA!
How do teeth retainers work?
Dental retainers are designed to keep your teeth straight, even when your orthodontic treatments are over! These appliances are a very important part of maintaining your shapely smile. Without this important phase of the process, your teeth could go crooked again, spread out, or push together throughout growth and even into adulthood. Avoid additional orthodontic treatments by consistently wearing your teeth retainer as directed by your dentist.
What you need from a retainer is going to be different depending on whether you had braces as a teen or adult. As a general rule, we recommend that teenagers wear their retainers at least until they finish growing (at roughly the age of 18, to be safe), and that adults wear them indefinitely.
Retainers are the last vital element of orthodontic treatment.
Types of dental retainers
Dental retainers come in two general forms — removable and fixed retainers.
Removable retainers look very similar to a thin and transparent version of a rugby player's mouthguard. In fact, they're almost identical to an Invisalign® aligner!
This type of retainer is usually just worn at night while you're sleeping. During the day, you can take the retainer out to clean. When you're done, put it away in a safe spot until you go to bed again.
Fixed teeth retainers (aka "lingual bars") consist of a fine wire that is glued to the back of your teeth (tongue side). These are generally left in place for an extended period of time. Think multiple years.
The great thing about this type of dental retainer is that you don't have to worry about losing it! And just like removable retainers, these fixed retainers can be fitted to either your top or bottom row of teeth...or both!
The disadvantage of having this, is that due to the permanence of it, it can be tougher to maintain hygienically in that area of your teeth. You may be more prone to building up plaque around the retainer.
Dental Retainer FAQs
Do I have to wear my retainer forever?
In short, yes, you should wear your retainer forever. For the first couple of months, it is recommended that you wear your retainer continuously (removing it when you eat or drink anything besides water). After the first couple of months, you can wear your retainer only at night, every night.
What is the purpose of a retainer?
How do I clean my retainer?
What do I do if I lose my retainer?
How long do removable retainers last?
Do fixed retainers require any maintenance?
