Retainers Orem UT

Why Do I Need to Wear a Retainer?

If you’re considering braces and retainers in Orem, UT, the specialists at SuperGrin Orthodontics are ready to help. We can walk you through what to expect from orthodontic treatment, and we can work with you to determine your goals and develop a treatment plan that will deliver the results you want.

There’s no reason to hesitate when it comes to happier, healthier teeth. Get in touch with us today, and read on for more information about how retainers can make a difference.

Retainers AND Braces: Two Tools for Straighter Teeth

Many people assume that when they use braces, they won’t have to worry about their teeth after their braces are finally removed. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly the case. After your braces are removed, you’ll need to use a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position.

Retainers are an essential tool. If you don’t use your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist, your teeth may drift back to their original places, completely erasing all your hard work and progress. However, retainers aren’t as intensive as braces.

You may have to wear a retainer constantly (with breaks between meals or flossing/brushing your teeth) for anywhere from three months to a year, but after this window you’ll probably have to just wear your retainer every night. This will continue on through the course of your lifetime, but after enough time you may only have to wear your retainer every other night.

Why Do We Need Braces and Retainers?

If retainers RETAIN your progress, braces do the hard work at the beginning. There are a number of reasons you might need braces and orthodontic adjustment: Underbites, overbites, gaps, misaligned teeth, and crowding, to name a few. You’ll need braces to get your teeth into a satisfactory positon, and you’ll need a retainer to ensure your teeth don’t drift and crowd afterwards.

Everyone’s case is different, but drifting and crowding is natural part of having teeth. Mesial drift is the term we use to describe how our teeth slowly and gradually change position over time. Specifically mesial drift means the slow movement of our teeth towards the front of our mouths.

There are many theories for why mesial drift happens, but it’s generally accepted that our ancestors used their teeth much more intensely and lacked the dental protection and care that we enjoy in our modern society. This heavy use eventually wore down teeth, leading to gaps that were steadily filled in by drifting teeth – and wisdom teeth emerged to fill in the gaps in the back of our mouths.

Fortunately, we enjoy much better dental care in our modern society. We don’t subject our teeth to such rigorous use, but this means our teeth don’t get worn down enough to allow room for mesial drift. When mesial drift occurs, it turns into crowding, and this crowding can be fixed with the help of an Orem retainer specialist.

Contact SuperGrin Orthodontics Today

At SuperGrin Orthodontics, we’re ready to help you choose the best orthodontic solution for your desired results. We offer a range of tools from braces to Invisalign and retainers to ensure you get the smile you deserve – and can keep your smile for as long as possible.

Your First Choice for Retainers

Orthodontics can treat a wide variety of dental issues a person may experience; in some cases, people need Orem, UT retainers which may be a way of correcting problems and protecting a smile that’s been newly aligned from braces. There are several reasons an orthodontist may recommend a retainer from SuperGrin Orthodontics. While there are several types of retainers you may choose from; it’s crucial to rely on a professional to ensure that patients receive desired results.

Reasons for a Retainer

A retainer is a device worn over the teeth to prevent them from shifting out of place. In most typical situations, a retainer is often prescribed after wearing braces. After wearing braces for sometimes an extended time, removing them is incredibly exciting. However, it’s important to note that one key aspect of aftercare treatment will be to have the teeth fitted for a retainer. There are several reasons a retainer is essential, including the following:

To prevent the teeth from shifting
To ensure lasting results
To improve oral hygiene
To officially complete orthodontic treatment

Retainers are essential for many reasons, and wearing a retainer will play a vital role in the treatment process after investing in treatment. After correcting bite issues and misalignments, patients must wear a retainer to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original position.

Types of Retainers

There are a few Orem retainers to choose from; however, the two primary types of retainers are permanent (those that cannot be removed) and removable. Each offers a variety of benefits and will be prescribed depending on the needs. A permanent retainer is bonded to the teeth and is typically made of metal wire. Once a permanent retainer is installed there is no risk of losing the device, but there can be some drawbacks. A permanent retainer can be challenging to clean, making it difficult to ensure proper oral health. In addition, these devices will require emergency dental treatment should the retainer break. Removable retainers are often made of wire and plastic and are customized to fit the patient. These retainers can be easily adjusted and can last for a significant period. Still, it’s essential to be aware that removable retainers can be noticeable when worn and may impact a person’s speech.

Retainer Timeframes

For those who have been prescribed a retainer, it’s essential to follow the treatment plan developed by the orthodontist. While some people may need a retainer before or after wearing braces, others may have never worn braces because they only have minor issues that need to be corrected. Retainers are a key component of orthodontic treatment, and one of the first questions patients may have about retainers is the length of time they will be required to wear one. The timeframe patients wear retainers can vary depending upon the specific alignment issues and treatment needs. Many will need to wear their retainer 24 hours a day after they have their braces removed. After a few months, if the results are positive, patients may only be required to wear the retainer at night. While over time, this may change, in some situations, retainers may need to be worn for the long term.

After investing in correcting misalignments and achieving an improved smile and self-esteem, it’s crucial to continue to commit to treatment. Retainers play an essential role in the treatment process moving forward. To learn more about Orem retainers, contact our team from SuperGrin Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Orem Retainers