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Permanent or Removable Retainers?

Dentist are developing new technology for retainers that avoid many of the problems with retainers. When people finally take off their braces, they are often dismayed to hear that they will need to wear a retainer for months or even years after the orthodontic treatment. In fact, teeth can still move several years after you have the orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontist will recommend the retainer is worn a few nights every week for the rest of your life.

What's a Retainer?
A retainer is a device that retains the teeth in position. There are several types of retaining device, but they all do essentially the same thing - stop the teeth from moving after orthodontic treatment. Wire retainers can also be used for minor tooth problems. They can be adjusted by your orthodontist to exert quite a bit of pressure.

Why Do I need to wear a Retainer?
Your teeth have a 'memory' all of their own. Once they are straightened they don't straight. They have a natural tendency to move back into their original position. Many a teenager has found their teeth quite quickly moving from near perfect back to a mess in a matter of months through not wearing or losing the retainer. For both the parents and the teenager, there is no easy answer to fix the teeth. Back must come on the braces. Adults are even more prone to the effects of this tooth memory. Older people have longer roots and the tooth has been embedded in place for far longer.

How Long do I need to Wear the Retainer For?
Most people wear the retainer for 24 months after treatment. Bonded retainers can be left several years. Many orthodontist will suggest you wear the retainer at least one or two nights a week forever to ensure your teeth don't travel back. The teeth can move back even years later, and this is problem particularly with adults. After two years, you will stop most of the tooth memory.

What are the Types of Retainer?
Retainers can be divided into two types: Fixed or bonded retainers that are simply fixed into position and worn permanently for several years, and removable retainers which can be worn only at night or easily removed during the day.

Clear plastic retainer (aka Essix Retainer)
this clear plastic device looks like an Invisalign insert and is kind of tray that holds your teeth in place. It is typically worn at night, or during the day for the first few months, followed by 18-24 months of night-time wear. It can be uncomfortable, and many people just end up not using them, losing them, or not being consistent with wearing them, with the inevitable consequence that their teeth move.

A Bonded retainer

 is simply a wire that is attached onto the back side of the lower teeth and bonded or glued with composite material to the teeth. It is not designed to be removed for several years, and is permanently in place, so it cannot be detached by the consumer. Bonded retainers cannot be used in many instances on top teeth, because of bite issues. Consumers ofen don't notice the retainer is in place, but the bonding agent can cause problems with the teeth and the teeth are difficult to floss. Sometimes people suffer from dental decay in the area of the retainer once it is removed, and people have even discovered periondontal pockets.

A Wire Retainer (aka Hawley Retainer)

is a plastic mould with wires that can be used to push the teeth. It is normally worn after the plastic or fixed retainers come off. It can also be used for minor correction. The retainer can also be used to fine-tune an orthodontic program, as very fine adjustments can be made with individual wires to align your teeth over time. t all the bacteria and dissolving all of the white buildup.

What's are the Problems with Retainers?
Retainers can be a pain for many reasons. Many teenagers just don't wear the retainers consistently and end up with crooked teeth two years later after suffering all the hassle and expense of getting braces. The retainers need to be cleaned, they are easy to lose, and can be painful and awkward. You need to carry them around, travel with them, and make sure they are cleaned and properly stored during the day. Once the teeth do move, wearing the retainer is painful initially as the teeth are moved back in place. At some point the patient gives up, and the teeth just move again.

As a result parents and orthodontists are keen to put in fixed bonded retainers, that cannot be removed. However, the permanent retainers are difficult to clean, they are bonded onto the teeth, which can lead to cavities and bad oral hygiene. They also cannot be used on the top teeth. Flossing is particularly difficult with these, and many people have reported dental cavities or even periodontal pockets after the retainers are removed.

New Technology For Retainers?

Is seems obvious that using a permanent retainer is much easier for patient. Once the retainer is fixed the orthodontist can ensure 100% compliance for 24 months or even longer. One good solution is from http://linglock.com/ These retainers are ceramic and permanently attached to the lingual or inside of the teeth.