It’s always a great day when your child gets their braces removed because no matter how long they are on, it always seems too long to the parents driving them to the orthodontist and the patient wearing them! The finished result is the look of straight and beautiful teeth. However, if you want to maintain that gorgeous smile, patients must wear their retainers.
When braces are removed, your orthodontist will give your child retainers that are made especially for them and their bite and they will be thoughtfully designed based upon the pre-treatment presentation of the patient. They are made for both the upper and lower teeth. Retainers are not temporary. It is suggested that your child wear their retainers for life although the required wear time greatly reduces over time. This may seem overzealous, but it is not. The braces your child wore allowed your child’s teeth to be straightened but their teeth have microscopic fibers in the gingiva that take time to reorganize and have elasticity that can cause “relapse.” Properly worn retainers will keep this from happening. You need to think of it as part of your child’s daily routine, like brushing and flossing. The first 4-6 months after the braces are removed represents the most critical time as the bone around the teeth heals and hardens around the new tooth positions.
Types of Retainers
There are typically two kinds of removable retainers. One is called the Hawley Retainer. This retainer has a metal bar across the front of the teeth and acrylic palate or tongue portion. This retainer is incredibly durable and can be adjusted regularly. The other is the Essix Retainer. This is made of clear plastic. It is also referred to as the Invisalign Retainer. These retainers are “prettier” but do not last a sufficient amount of time to be the only type of retainer in use. These retainers are an investment, because as pointed out earlier, they are for life. The Hawley Retainer is pretty durable and can last many years, if cared for properly. The Essix Retainer cannot be adjusted so if any tooth movement occurs from poor wear it will not fit and a new retainer will need to be made. They last a variable, but shorter amount of time when compared with a Hawley..
There is also a fixed, “glued in” gold wire retainer called a lingual bonded retainer. This is a custom designed, measured, and installed biocompatible wire retainer that is installed behind the upper and lower front teeth. This retainer can be removed as it is just placed on the surface of the teeth but our orthodontists recommend a vigilant oral hygiene protocol and leaving lingual retainers in indefinitely. Properly cared for, this retainer style lasts for decades but also requires an invisible Essix retainer to be made for occasional night wear to maintain the back teeth alignment.
How to Care for a Retainer
How soon your child’s retainer needs to be replaced depends on how much they may grind or clench their teeth, how well it is cared for and stored in its case, and whether the family pet has gotten its teeth into it. However, if cared for properly, they should last awhile.
We recommended our patients keep it in the case when it is not being worn to avoid it being thrown away in a napkin. We also ask patients to refrain from squeezing it or playing with it (clicking it excessively on and off teeth) so it can keep its shape. It should be kept clean by brushing it just like the teeth. And by all means, keep it away from the dog or other pets! Just like anything else, eventually the retainer will have to be replaced for typical wear and tear. But if handled properly, retainers should last for at least 2 years if not longer.
If you have any other questions about your child’s retainer, please ask at our office.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
