Removable Retainers – Amityville
Keep Your Smile Straight!
You invested a lot of time and money into your aligned bite and straight teeth. A retainer is designed to keep your teeth in their beautifully straight position so that you don’t require orthodontic treatment again in the future. However, if you don’t wear your retainer as directed, your teeth will start to shift back to their original positions. Here’s what you should know about removable retainers, how they are made, and their required care.
What’s a Removable Retainer?
Orthodontic treatment is used to slowly shift the teeth to their optimal positions to improve your bite, appearance, and confidence. However, once your braces come off, there isn’t anything stopping your teeth from moving back to their original places. That’s where your retainer comes in! A removable retainer is a custom-made device that you wear over your teeth. It helps to keep your teeth in their new positions so that they don’t move anymore.
How Is a Removable Retainer Made?
Removable retainers are comprised of wire and plastic. Your orthodontist will begin by making impressions of your teeth. We use a digital impressions system, so the impressions are captured quickly and painlessly. These impressions are used to make a plaster mold of your mouth. Plastic is molded around the plaster mouth. Then, it is removed and wired are attached so the retainer can be secured to your teeth. Your retainer can be custom crafted to fit your smile perfectly!
Caring for a Removable Retainer
It’s important to care for your retainer so it lasts. Here are some steps you should be taking to keep it in good condition.
- Take your retainer out of your mouth when eating
- Don’t chew gum while wearing your retainer
- Put your retainer back in its case when you aren’t wearing it
- Keep your retainer out of reach of curious bets.
- Clean your retainer at least once a day with antibacterial soap and water
- Brush and floss thoroughly before putting your retainer in.