Retainers

Orthodontic treatments, such as braces and Invisalign, can dramatically improve the alignment and appearance of one’s teeth. Braces and other orthodontic systems work by using gentle pressure to gradually shift your teeth into the correct position. It generally takes a few months to a year to accomplish the desired alignment. Common conditions that braces are used to treat include overbite, underbite, gaps between teeth and crooked teeth. While it’s recommended that a child have their first orthodontic assessment by age 7, orthodontics are used to successfully correct misalignment in patients of all ages.

Once the work of braces is done, and the teeth are properly aligned, your dentist or orthodontist will have you fitted for a custom made retainer. This is to ensure that your teeth ‘retain’ their alignment. Without the regular use of a retainer, your teeth will slowly drift out of alignment, undoing all the work that the braces did! Your dentist or orthodontist will give you clear instructions on how to wear, store and clean your retainer. It’s important to follow these directions carefully to preserve the investment you made into correcting your teeth. Often times, retainers can be worn at night, and gently cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Your retained is an important dental appliance for the maintenance of properly aligned teeth.