Dental Retainer
Orthodontic retainers are custom-made devices, usually made of wires or clear plastic, that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method of realigning teeth. Once a phase of orthodontic treatment has been completed to straighten teeth, there remains a lifelong risk of relapse (a tendency for teeth to return to their original position) due to a number of factors: recoil of periodontal fibres, pressure from surrounding soft tissues, the occlusion and patient’s continued growth and development. By using retainers to hold the teeth in their new position for a length of time, the surrounding periodontal fibres adapt to changes in the bone which can help minimize any changes to the final tooth position after the completion of orthodontic treatment. Retainers may also be used to treat overjets.
What do Retainers do for Teeth?
Even after braces make your teeth straight, they aren’t completely firm in their new position. This doesn’t happen until the gums, bones and muscles get used to the change. Everyday habits like chewing and grinding apply forces to your teeth and can move them. Shifting teeth can also lead to malocclusion. This is when your upper and lower teeth don’t align with your mouth closed.
Your braces kept your teeth in a straight position for a long time. Once the braces come off, nothing is keeping your teeth from moving back to their previous position. Wearing a retainer helps keep your teeth in the correct place, so they don’t move. Think of it this way: Braces straighten your teeth, but your retainer keeps them that way. They help your teeth “retain” their position.
Different Types of Retainers for Teeth
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers are retainers that you take in and out yourself. Healthcare providers use them most often on the upper front teeth. Removable retainers are easy to slide in and out when you want, but you must keep track of them, use them as your provider recommends, and clean them regularly.
There are two types of removable retainers, and each has pros and cons.
● Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers are what many people think of when they hear the word "retainer." They are one of the most common kinds of retainers and have been around for close to 100 years. To create them, dental healthcare providers create a mold of your upper palate using hard plastic or acrylic and attach wires that hold your teeth in place. The plastic part used to be made to match the color of your palate, but now you can order it in various patterns and colors.
● Clear Plastic Molded Retainers
The other type of removable retainer is made of clear plastic or polyurethane. To create them, your dental healthcare provider will make a mold of your teeth. Either their office or a lab will fill the mold with the clear material, which has been heated to soften it, so it conforms to the mold. A vacuum device pulls it tightly against the mold, so it makes a perfect replica of your teeth. When you wear it, the clear plastic is barely noticeable, if at all.
Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers are placed by a dental healthcare provider and stay in place until removed by a professional. The dental healthcare provider custom fits a wire to the back of your teeth and glues or bonds it in place. Permanent retainers are most commonly used for lower teeth. They can be a good option if you think you might not remember to use your removable retainer, but they can make it harder to keep your teeth clean. With everyday function, teeth can still move with a permanent retainer in place. That's because the wires used in most "permanent" retainers are flexible.
Benefits of Dental Retainer
It Keeps Teeth From Shifting
Retainers are designed to maintain the structural integrity of your teeth for the remainder of your life. The first month is crucial for maintaining proper retainer wear. During this period, teeth are more prone to revert to their original crooked shape. As we age, a condition known as natural physiological drift occurs, causing the width of our grins to narrow and the teeth to shift. Wearing retainers will keep you from drifting. You’ll thank yourself later.
It Helps with Oral Hygiene
Straighter teeth are easier to clean. Crooked teeth can create grooves and crevices that harbor bacteria and food debris. By brushing and flossing straight teeth, you will be more likely to keep them clean. The primary reason you need braces to straighten your teeth is not cosmetic, but health-related, as crooked teeth can result in infections, cavities, and chronic problems.
It Assists Breathing and Speech
Your teeth and their alignment affect numerous elements of your daily life, including breathing and communication. It may not be apparent to you until it is pointed out to you, but you may experience difficulty breathing or pronouncing words before having your teeth straightened. Your retainer can assist you in maintaining the posture that aids in breathing and speech and can have a long-term beneficial influence on your breathing.
It Defends Against Tongue Thrust
Some persons protrude their tongue forward when swallowing, speaking, or even when the tongue is at rest. If you do have a tongue thrust, it has the potential to push your teeth forward, resulting in the destruction of your recently straightened smile.
It Helps You Avoid Clenching
Your mouth will feel different after you remove your braces or discontinue wearing Invisalign. Certain individuals clench their jaws when they adjust to new experiences. Hard plastic retainers, which completely cover your upper or lower teeth, may provide protection and relief from minor tooth grinding and clenching.
What Materials Form Your Permanent Retainer?
Stainless Steel
The most commonly used material for permanent retainers is stainless steel. Stainless steel offers several advantages, including durability and resistance to corrosion. This makes it an ideal choice for retainers, as it ensures they remain effective and free from rust over time.
Titanium
Another material occasionally used for permanent retainers is titanium. Titanium is known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility. It's an excellent choice for individuals who may have sensitivities to other metals.
Precision Wire
The key component of a permanent retainer is a thin, precision wire. This wire is typically made from the aforementioned stainless steel or titanium. It's carefully shaped and bonded to the back of your teeth to maintain their alignment.
The Process: How Retainers Are Crafted Quickly
Digital Impressions
In the past, creating orthodontic retainers involved messy molds and plaster casts, which could take days or even weeks. Today, the process starts with a digital impression. A specialized intraoral scanner captures a 3D model of the patient's teeth with precision and speed.
CAD Design
Once the digital impression is obtained, the orthodontist uses computer-aided design (CAD) software to design the retainer virtually. CAD allows for meticulous adjustments, ensuring the retainer aligns perfectly with the patient's unique dental structure.
3D Printing
The real game-changer in retainer manufacturing speed is 3D printing. The CAD design is sent to a 3D printer, which fabricates the retainer layer by layer. This process is not only incredibly accurate but also astonishingly fast compared to traditional methods.
Material Selection
Modern retainers are often made from biocompatible and durable materials such as polyurethane or polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG). These materials are not only safe for oral use but also efficient for 3D printing.
Quick Turnaround Times
Thanks to the combination of digital impressions, CAD design, and 3D printing, the turnaround time for creating orthodontic retainers has significantly decreased. Patients can now receive their retainers within a matter of days, rather than weeks.
Customization
Each retainer is tailored to the individual patient's teeth, ensuring an exact fit. This level of customization is crucial for the retainer to serve its purpose effectively. Plus, it increases patient comfort.
Post-Processing and Polishing
After 3D printing, the retainer goes through a post-processing phase, where it's trimmed, polished, and refined to meet quality standards. These finishing touches ensure that the retainer is not only functional but also comfortable.
Quality Control
Every retainer undergoes rigorous quality control checks to guarantee that it complies with the orthodontist's specifications and the highest industry standards. This step is essential to ensure the retainer's effectiveness in maintaining the corrected dental alignment.
Patient Consultation
Before the finished retainer is handed to the patient, a consultation takes place. The orthodontist ensures that the retainer fits comfortably and discusses the maintenance and care needed to preserve the results of orthodontic treatment.
Same-Day Services
In some cases, orthodontic practices offer same-day retainer services, where patients can receive their retainers immediately after completing their orthodontic treatment. This efficiency saves time and ensures the best possible outcomes.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Retainer
All three types of retainers generally are very effective when used properly. Much depends on a person’s individual habits. For example, it is important that one remember when to use, remove or clean his or her retainer.
This can be a key consideration. How well your retainer does its job comes down to you, so you will want an option convenient for your lifestyle. Permanent retainers can be very convenient, as the patient does not have to do much beyond general maintenance and practicing good oral hygiene. Clear retainers and Hawley retainers need to be cleaned regularly but are not in the way as you brush and floss your teeth.
If appearance is a priority, your best options are a clear or permanent retainer. Clear retainers are virtually invisible, which means you could wear them at any time and they barely will be noticed. The same goes for permanent retainers because the wire is positioned along the back of your front teeth. Hawley retainers are more visible, with wires crossing the front teeth, and many patients wear them only when they are not in public or while they are sleeping.
Upkeep is very important. Poor maintenance of your retainer can lead to a host of other issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. Permanent retainers are often preferred for maintenance reasons because they generally cannot be damaged as you clean your teeth. Removable retainers are not difficult to clean, but the process must become part of a regular routine, and you have to keep track of them when not wearing them.
Both permanent and Hawley retainers are well regarded in terms of durability. Clear retainers are less so. Patients who grind their teeth, for example, might consider one of the other options.
In certain cases, your orthodontist will attach a permanent retainer to the backs of your teeth. Patients that receive this will wear the retainers all the time, even while they eat and brush. This style of retainer can only be removed by a dentist, and when this is taken out, patients will receive a removable retainer to wear during sleep.
Most patients are given a set of retainers that are removed for eating and brushing. We’ve seen the best results when our clients wear their retainer on the following schedule:
The First 3-6 Months: During this time, retainers should be worn for 22 hours a day or more. The only time they should be removed is to brush and floss or to eat. Your orthodontist will continue to monitor your progress before approving you to wear them at night only.
The First 2 Years: After your initial time of full-time wear, you will be able to start wearing your retainers during sleep only.
From the Third Year to the Rest of Your Life: Now, you can wear your retainers a little bit less. Skipping an occasional night or two is no big deal. A good rule of thumb is to aim to wear them every other night.
Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your retainers.
Rinse your retainers with cool water to remove any debris or residue.
Examine your retainers to ensure they are clean and free from any damage.
Gently position the upper retainer onto your upper teeth, making sure it fits snugly.
Apply equal pressure to the retainer with your fingertips, starting from the front and moving towards the back of your mouth.
Adjust the retainer if needed to ensure it is properly seated on your teeth.
Repeat the same process for the lower retainer, carefully placing it on your lower teeth.
Once both retainers are in place, use your tongue to check if they feel secure and comfortable.
Avoid biting or clenching down too hard on the retainers, as it may cause damage.
Follow your orthodontist’s instructions on how long to wear the retainers each day.
Here are some tips for caring for your retainer after braces or Invisalign:
● Brush and floss around your fixed retainer. The wire can accumulate food and plaque just like braces can, so oral hygiene is important. You’ll also want to keep up with your regular dental appointments so your dentist can ensure the area is clean and cavity-free.
● Always keep your removable retainer in its retainer case when you’re not wearing it. Never place it on a napkin or in a tissue because it can get thrown away. You’ll even want to store it in its retainer case when you take it out to brush and floss because pets love retainers. The last thing you want is your dog damaging it.
● Remove your retainer before eating and drinking anything aside from plain water. If you have an Essix retainer, like a Vivera clear retainer, it’s especially important to take it out even if you’re just taking a sip of a drink. The liquid and sugars can get stuck between your teeth and your retainer, which will increase your risk of tooth decay.
● As for how to clean your retainer, gently brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and some non-abrasive toothpaste whenever you brush your teeth. This will get rid of plaque and any food debris. For a deeper clean, you can also occasionally use a retainer cleaner and let it soak. This will prevent it from smelling and will get rid of any build up.
● Don’t store clear retainers in hot vehicles or drink hot drinks with them in your mouth. The heat can warp the retainer, which will affect the fit and could potentially result in your teeth shifting.
● If you lose a retainer, call our office right away to have it replaced. Not wearing your retainer after braces or Invisalign, even for a few nights, will result in your teeth shifting. It’s important to get a new one so we can maintain your smile.
● Bring your retainer with you to appointments so we can make sure it’s still in good shape and it fits correctly.
How to Clean Dental Retainers?
Cleaning a clear retainer is super easy, while lingual wires require a bit more attention.
Cleaning Vivera Retainers
To clean a Vivera retainer all you have to do is remove it from your mouth, rinse it under lukewarm water, then brush it with a soft bristle toothbrush. Once it’s clean, just rinse it again and you’re good to go. Occasionally you may notice some tartar building up on your clear retainer. If this is the case, our Ottawa orthodontist will suggest letting it soak in a denture-like cleaning solution to loosen the debris. These tablets dissolve in water and are available over the counter in the toothpaste aisle.
Cleaning A Lingual Wire
First, it’s important to mention that though cleaning a lingual wire is a bit more time consuming, you should not neglect doing so. In order to prevent decay or tartar from developing on your teeth, you’ll need to clean your retainer daily. Begin by brushing your teeth and ensuring that you angle the toothbrush in such a way that you’re cleaning the entire wire. In order to floss a lingual wire retainer you’ll require some special tools. Particularly a floss threader. Plastic threaders work much like a needle and thread. The threader - which would be the needle - is the part that goes between your teeth just above the gums. The threader pulls the floss through to the other side of the tooth, where you can remove the threader.
Now you have a string under your wire and above your gum. You’ll need to maneuver the floss around to clean the side of the teeth and the wire itself. If you can, clean under the gum with the floss too. You’ll have to use this method for every tooth that the lingual wire is bonded onto.
There are other devices that are available over the counter, called water flossers, which make your flossing routine even simpler. A water flosser works much like a pressure washer. The wand has a thin tip that when aimed and released between two teeth shoots out a burst of high pressure water. This tool essentially cleans all the debris from between your teeth.
Ultimate FAQ Guide to Dental Retainer
Shenzhen Lucky Dental Laboratory Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional dental retainer manufacturers and suppliers in China since 1998, specialized in providing high quality customized service. We warmly welcome you to buy cheap dental retainer from our factory.