Orthodontics

After orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth, it’s important to maintain the final aesthetic and functional result with the use of retainers. This helps prevent the teeth from shifting back to undesired positions and allows the bone supporting the teeth to rebuild after the teeth have moved. Remember that your body is constantly changing throughout life.

Often, orthodontists or patients do not give adequate importance to this phase of treatment, which is why patients who had orthodontic treatment years ago may need retreatment.

These retainers can be fixed or removable.

• Fixed retainers: usually a wire bar placed behind the anterior teeth, especially in the lower arch, although they are sometimes used in the upper arch.
• Removable retainers: as the name suggests, these are devices that can be taken in and out. They are known as Essix if made in the same clinic or Vivera if made by the Align Technology company (Invisalign). There are other types of removable retainers called Hawley retainers, which are becoming less common but are still used, especially in children.

To avoid this situation, our specialists at DentalLife explain why retainers in orthodontics are necessary.