Yes! Your retainer matters. Our Richmond VA orthodontist assures you that if your retainer was trivial, our orthodontic office in Richmond would never bother prescribing them. Your retainer may seem like a chore, but it is doing the important task of ensuring your smile remains beautiful forever.
Our Richmond VA Orthodontist Says Your Smile Never Stops Moving
Just like it took gradual progress to move your teeth into the desired position through braces or Invisalign, your teeth will continue to gradually move even after your orthodontic treatment. Our orthodontist in Richmond VA knows how much dedication was devoted to your original orthodontia, and a retainer will protect against reversal.
Our Richmond orthodontist usually recommends that you wear your retainer the most consistently after the first year of having your braces or Invisalign removed. Wearing a retainer immediately after this period of orthodontia will allow your jaw and tissues to further acclimate and settle into the desired position. The length each patient must wear their retainer does vary; however, in that first year it is usually recommended to wear it at all times, excluding meals. After the first year, our Richmond orthodontist says that you may be eligible to transition to only wearing your retainer at night.
What Kinds of Retainers Are There? Richmond VA Orthodontist Answers
There are three primary types of retainers. Our 5-star orthodontist in Richmond prescribes them on a case-by-case basis.
#1 – Fixed Retainers
Fixed retainers are cemented to the backs of your teeth and cannot be removed.
#2 – Hawley Retainers
You are probably most familiar with this kind of removable retainer. Hawley retainers are molded to your mouth and held in place with a wire that goes around the teeth.
#3 – Invisible Retainers
Also known as an Essix retainer, these are made of clear plastic to give the look that you are not even wearing a retainer.
Be Sure to Clean Your Retainer
If remembering to wear your retainer is step one to protecting your brilliant smile, remembering to clean your retainer is step two. Bacteria and debris love to buildup in your retainer, so be sure to regularly clean yours. You can clean your retainer with vinegar water, denture cleaning tablets, or even clear dish soap. If you have trouble remembering to clean your retainer try setting reminders on your calendar or phone.
If you have any more questions about how your retainer will help to protect your smile, feel free to call our orthodontic office in Richmond VA or schedule an appointment!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact White Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office location near Richmond VA, by clicking here or by calling 804.747.7447.