After you get those pesky braces off, you might think that your treatment is finally over. Well, it’s not. It does get easier though. After you finish up with your braces, your orthodontist will fit you with a retainer. The retainer keeps your teeth from shifting back immediately after the braces come off. There are two types of retainers after braces, fixed and removable. Let’s take a look at the different types of retainers that you can get from your orthodontist in Hollywood.
Fixed retainers are made of a thin wire that is worn across the back of the teeth and is bonded in place with a material similar to that used on the brackets of braces. It has the best outcome because the bonded wire will hold the newly straightened teeth in perfect formation 24/7. Due to the way it sits on the teeth, a floss threader or similar cleaning device must be used.
Removable retainers are usually made of a combination of a wire going across the front of the lower or upper front teeth held in place with a combination of acrylic material and hooks that insert in and around the back teeth to hold the retainer in place. Since it’s removable, it makes it easier to eat, drink, and clean the teeth. It also can be easy to forget to wear it. Initially, your orthodontist will want you to wear it all day and all night for at least three months before switching to just while you sleep.
At TLC Dental we will be with you every step of the way when it comes to your orthodontic treatment. Contact us today to learn more.
