Some treatments can take months or even years, to complete. The renowned dentists at AK Global Dent, popular as the best dental clinic in Gurgaon, say that getting the braces removed does not mean the end of an orthodontic treatment. After removing the braces, one will still need to wear retainers for a few months. A retainer is a custom-made device designed to be worn over the teeth. It is typically made of wires or plastic material and is designed to hold the teeth in their new position after braces are removed.

How Do Retainers Work?

During orthodontic treatment, braces move the teeth into a new position to achieve the desired alignment. However, the teeth will not become completely firm in their new position right away. It will take some time for the gums, bones, and muscles around the teeth to grow enough to support them in their new position. As one goes about their daily activities, such as chewing food, force is applied to the teeth, which may move them back into their previous position, resulting in malocclusion. Wearing retainers after removing the braces prevents the teeth from shifting like this.

Retainers can be either permanent or removable. Fixed retainers, like braces, are permanently attached to the teeth. It consists of a metal wire installed behind the teeth to hold them in place. Removable retainers, on the other hand, can be removed when necessary, such as to eat, brush the teeth, or clean the retainer. Regardless of the type of retainer one receives, it is critical that one follow their orthodontist’s instructions for using their retainer after their braces have come off.

The Importance of Wearing Retainers

Wearing braces shifts the teeth until they are perfectly aligned. To shift to the desired position, the periodontal membrane and ligaments that surround the teeth must also shift. This gradually loosens the teeth. The teeth will likely remain loose until new bone grows around each tooth to hold it in place. This process is known as bone remodeling, and it will take months to complete following the orthodontic treatment.

Before it does, one must keep their teeth in their newly aligned position, which is accomplished with a retainer. This device does not cause any additional movement or shift in the teeth. It simply secures the teeth in place long enough for remodeling to occur. Without this, the teeth will most likely revert to their original positions, undoing months or years of treatment.

As a patient, one must follow their orthodontist’s instructions for using a retainer. The teeth will not move sufficiently during these brief periods to cause significant damage. However, failure to wear the retainer as recommended for extended periods of time can result in a relapse. When this occurs, the retainer will no longer fit over the teeth, and in some cases, one may need to return to braces to correct the misalignment.

Additional Benefits of Retainers

• A retainer can help patients with speech impediments caused by tooth alignment while also preventing treatment reversal.
• Patients who have difficulty pronouncing certain words due to the position of their tongue relative to their teeth can receive a retainer to assist them in properly forming words.

How Long Does One Need to Wear Retainers?

The truth is that everything depends on one’s specific situation. Following the treatment, the orthodontist will examine the teeth to determine which type of retainer one requires. Some patients only get a removable retainer, while others get a fixed one. In some cases, the patient’s post-treatment may begin with a fixed retainer that will be changed to a removable one after the treatment.

The length of time one must wear retainers depends on which of these options the orthodontist recommends. Patients who are given a removable retainer are expected to wear it diligently for the first three to six months. The retainer should be worn for at least 22 hours each day. In fact, it should only be removed when eating, brushing teeth, or flossing.

In conclusion, we would suggest patients regularly wear their retainers after the braces treatment to retain their beautiful smile. Additionally, to ensure that the treatment is successful, always seek out a good dental clinic with the best doctors and all of the necessary facilities. AK Global Dent is the leading provider of high-quality dental treatments, including professional teeth cleaning, root canal therapy, dental veneers, and teeth straightening. It is also known for offering the most affordable dental braces cost in Gurgaon.

To learn more, visit the AK Global Dent Clinic today.