What is a retention function? How long does it take to wear a retainer after braces?

What is a retention function?

A retainer is a support device for people metal braces, install ceramic after removing brackets, wires or stop wearing clear orthodontic trays. It helps teeth stabilize more quickly and ensures braces results.

This tool is prescribed by doctors after the phase ends - the patient has all teeth fixed in both jaws within 1 to 2 months and the braces are removed.

Types of retainers

Retainers come in two main forms: fixed and removable:

Permanent:

Use a metal rod or wire to attach to the inside of the tooth (maintain the tongue) using Composite. 

• Advantages: ensures aesthetics, does not require patient cooperation
• Disadvantage: causes entanglement and tongue discomfort in the early stages

Disassemble and install

• :Customers will receive samples and send them to the factory to make removable dentures. This type requires patient cooperation and may cause lip and cheek obstruction in the early stages. Includes 2 types: 
• Transparent trough form 
• Plastic form combined with metal arch to hug the dental arch

How long do braces last?

Many people, because they are too hasty to "show off" their new teeth, subjectively skip the step of wearing a retainer after removing the braces, leading to the situation of teeth shifting or returning to their original position.

The length of time to wear braces will be determined by your doctor

• In the case of pediatric orthodontics, Doctors specializing in orthodontic braces may require wearing a retainer until adulthood because at this time the teeth and jawbone will develop stably.
• In the case of adults, it may be necessary to wear a retainer for 1-2 years if the teeth are slightly misaligned.
• For moderate misalignment, orthodontic treatment with tooth extraction requires wearing a retainer for 3 years or more. 
• In particular, in the case of people with weak, moderately misaligned teeth or people with bad habits such as tongue thrusting, they may have to wear a retainer for a longer period of time, even permanently to achieve long-term results.

Why do you need to wear a retainer after orthodontics?

+ Similar to other orthodontic methods, braces also require treatment. Post-treatment care to ensure long-lasting results. And wearing a retainer properly and on time is also one of the teeth care regimens to achieve long-term results.

+ Orthodontics is a method of using many types of appliances such as brackets, wires, elastics or transparent trays to move teeth to the ideal position on the jaw, improving aesthetics and chewing function.

+ In any case, after removing orthodontic appliances, you are required to wear retainers for stable braces results. determined. The reason is that when teeth move, the process of tooth resorption and deposition occurs, shifting the periodontal ligaments.

+ After finishing braces, the overbite, underbite, gap or crookedness has improved, the bite has been brought back to standard correlation, the periodontal ligaments are still loose and the teeth are not stable in the alveolar bone.

Notes on tooth care after braces and cleaning the retainer

First, keep the habit of brushing your teeth clean, use dental floss, and use mouthwash. Retainers must be cleaned with cold water and a soft bristle brush to remove residue.

Second, when you are not wearing your retainers, you need to store them in a specialized storage box to avoid breakage or loss.

Third, in the first 6 months, you need to wear your retainers at least 12 hours a day. During the period after 6 months, you only need to wear the jaw at night, remove the jaw while eating and doing water sports to avoid breaking or losing the jaw.

Fourth, when wearing braces you have been advised to have thorough oral hygiene, when using a retainer after braces you have to take even more care.

For direct advice about Braces or the implant service at Nha Trang Lac Viet Intech department, please dial HOTLINE:096.192.0606.