Your new smile is finally here! You might think your orthodontic journey ends the moment your braces come off, but not quite. To ensure your new smile stays perfect, you still have a little way to go. But it’s easy, and the reward is a lifetime of healthy, straight teeth!
Retention – The Final Phase
Orthodontics refers to the phase after your braces are removed as retention. Everyone who has braces wears a retainer while the teeth, bones, and gums adapt to their new position. Teeth naturally want to return to their original place, particularly in the first few months after active treatment has finished. Teeth also move with age, but retainers help reduce the amount of movement and we attempt to keep the teeth where we want them.
Keeping Your Teeth Straight After Braces
Before it’s time to remove your braces, your orthodontist will talk to you about retainers. Retainers ensure the investment and hard work you put into braces, isn’t undone. You and your orthodontist will decide on what type of retainer will best suit you. The three options available to most patients include:
- Fixed wire retainers positioned at the back of your teeth on both arches
- One fixed wire retainer and one removable
- Removable retainers on both arches
Usually, a day or two before we take the braces off we take a mold/scan of your teeth to make the fixed wire retainers before the braces being removed. We apply the fixed wire retainers on the day your braces come off. We take molds/scans for removable retainers on the same day, so the retainers are ready within 24-48 hours to minimize the time teeth are unretained.
The amount of time you’ll need to wear a retainer depends on the arrangement of your teeth before you had treatment and how you will measure success. Some people need to wear a retainer for many years, while others don’t need them any longer than 12 months. Once you move to nightly removable retainers, it may be every night, alternate nights, or just a few nights per week for maintenance.
People with fixed retainers often keep them in for many years. Your orthodontist will assess how likely your teeth are to move and recommend how long and often you should wear your retainer. No one wants to go back to a crooked smile after months of braces, so following the advice of your orthodontist is critical for long-term success.
It is normal for mild movements to occur due to normal age changes even in adults and most patients are prepared to accept these minor changes and stop wearing their retainers at some stage. However, if you are concerned with minor changes, then it’s recommended that you continue to wear the retainers intermittently indefinitely.
Caring for Your New Smile
No doubt you’re diligent about brushing your teeth with braces to minimize the chance of staining. You should continue with your good oral hygiene regime after braces. You’ll keep your smile looking great by brushing and flossing morning and night. But there are a few other things you need to do in the weeks, months, and years after your braces are removed.
Visit Your Dentist
Make sure you see a dentist every six months for a professional clean and check-up. Regular dental appointments are particularly important for those people with a fixed retainer. Your dentist can check the retainer isn’t damaged, there’s no sign of plaque or decay, and will clean around the retainer.
Checking Your Wisdom Teeth
If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, the x-ray also tells us how they’re going. Sometimes, erupting or impacted wisdom teeth can damage surrounding teeth and undo all the hard work of your braces. Wisdom teeth are unpredictable so keeping a close eye on them allows us to catch any problems before they occur. We’ll refer you to your dentist for any wisdom teeth treatment.
Caring for Your Removable Retainers
Removable retainers need a little attention to keep them looking good and working properly.
There are two types of removable retainers – wire plates and clear retainers. Wire retainers have an acrylic base that sits at the roof of the mouth and a wire at the front of the teeth.
Clear retainers are made of thin, clear plastic that wraps around the teeth, like a mouth guard. Most people choose clear retainers over the wire because they’re more comfortable to wear and almost invisible.
All retainers need to be removed to eat, drink, play sports, and brush your teeth. When you take them out, use the container to store them rather than a tissue or napkin as they can be easily lost or thrown away. Store your retainers away from your pets as many retainers have been destroyed by dogs chewing them.
Keep the retainer clean and stain-free by rinsing or brushing after every meal. Use a drop of dishwashing liquid and a gentle toothbrush to get in the nooks and crannies of the retainer to keep it clean and germ-free. Don’t use regular toothpaste as it’s too abrasive and can scratch the surface of the clear plastic. Never use hot water to clean your retainer as this can change the shape. The microwave and dishwasher will also destroy a retainer. Don’t eat or drink with your retainer in as food and beverages can leave permanent stains.
You shouldn’t feel any pressure if you wear your retainer consistently. If at any point you feel your retainer is tight when you put it in, wear it for longer than you would usually or preferably for 24 hours. If you lose or break your retainer, call the clinic as soon as possible to arrange a new one. Some teeth move quickly and undo the hard work of braces.
Whenever you come in to see your orthodontist, please remember to bring your removable retainers with you. We’ll check they still fit and aren’t damaged or worn. Fitting your retainers is one of the best indicators we have for judging whether any teeth have moved since we removed your braces.
Caring for Your Fixed Retainer
Just give the back of your teeth a good clean around the retainer and use dental floss to clean under the wire and between the teeth. A fixed retainer is ideal for keeping teeth in place without having to think about putting removable retainers in and out. Fixed retainers can last for years without you even noticing they’re there. However, teeth can still move slightly even with fixed retainers. Occasionally chewing on something hard may bend the fixed retainer and this could cause a tooth to move even though it remains attached to the teeth.
If the retainer breaks or you suspect that it has been bent, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible to have it fixed, particularly if it’s less than 12 months since your braces came off. Any delay can cause teeth to shift out of alignment and undo your hard work.
Looking for an orthodontist near you? Use our directory to start your smile journey today!
Source: https://www.theorthodontists.com.au/blog/what-happens-after-your-braces-are-removed