The feeling of joy and freedom that hits you when it is finally time to remove is unmatched, almost too good to be true — well, it might actually be too good to be true. Braces work to align your teeth into the proper position, and after a certain period, they successfully manage to accomplish that. However, there is still a huge possibility of your teeth slipping back into their previous misaligned spots after the braces are taken off. Hence, this is where retainers come in!
Wearing a retainer after braces is recommended by orthodontists to ensure your teeth remain in their proper position. In this blog, we will talk about how retainers function, providing insight into why they’re important.
What Do Retainers Do?
You might be curious about what retainers exactly are and the purpose they serve. Retainers are composed of metal and plastic, and they fit the top of the mouth and teeth. This orthodontic appliance is customized according to your mouth and teeth to ensure it delivers the desired result.
To answer the question, wearing retainers after braces is an effective and necessary solution to stop your teeth from reverting back to their previous position. After the braces are taken off, the tissues and ligaments might not have settled into the new alignment yet, which means that they could slip back, and the teeth will revert as well. With retainers after braces, though, it is a surety that this does not happen. In addition, not wearing retainers will lead to complications that only professional treatments will not resolve.
How Wearing Retainers After Braces is Beneficial
Here are some reasons why retainers after braces are necessary:
Stabilizes the Bite
While the teeth move into position, the soft tissues and the bone surrounding your teeth will require time to adapt to the new alignment. Therefore, wearing retainers after braces will prevent an orthodontic relapse as well as stabilize your bite.
Makes Room for Additional Molars
Teenagers and preteens are the usual audiences for braces. Since this is the time the body is still developing, there is a chance that additional teeth, such as wisdom teeth, will erupt. By wearing retainers, you allow enough space in your mouth to accommodate additional molars.
Prevents Treatment Reversal
Retainers stop teeth from reverting back to their old positions. If you skip wearing this orthodontic appliance, your teeth will start sliding back into misalignment. You still might have to keep up with retainers for months or even a couple of years, but it is all worth it! This way, the treatment does not go to waste.
Aligns Jawbone With Gums
Your gums and jawbone will require more time to stabilize and move into the new position. But with retainers, you can rest assured that the treatment will be quicker and more effective.
Keeps Teeth in Position
To move into the correct position, the gaps in your teeth will require time, especially to stay in position. Moreover, the teeth will need to cover a significant distance to stay in the correct alignment. From overbites to underbites to small misalignments, retainers let your mouth adapt to the new changes while it holds teeth in position.
What’s Next?
Wearing retainers after braces is essential to avoid complications and keep your teeth in position. Therefore, do not skip wearing your retainers! At Porter Smile Dental, our team will explain in detail why a certain treatment is necessary. Dial (281) 519-7200 for our effective procedures, or visit us at 21693 FM 1314 Ste 700, Porter, TX 77365.