An orthodontic retainer is a flexible plastic device worn in your mouth to keep your teeth in position. Orthodontic retainers are also called “fixed appliances,” “braces,” or “ortho appliances.” Retainers Carmichael work by holding the teeth in place and preventing them from moving out of place. The retainer may be custom-made to fit your teeth and gums, or it may be made using an impression taken from your mouth.
Here is what you need to know about retainers.
Improve appearance
Retainers can help improve a person’s appearance by making their smile appear more symmetrical, creating a more attractive look, and lessening the projection of their teeth to appear smaller. Retainers may also be used for cosmetic purposes, such as covering gaps between teeth or correcting minor facial irregularities.
Correct crowding
Crowding occurs when gaps between the teeth do not allow them to function properly together. Crowded teeth can cause problems with chewing food and speaking properly because they cannot fit together properly when you bite down on them. Retainers can be used to correct this problem by holding back some of your teeth so that they don’t protrude too far forward into the space between your other teeth, allowing them to function better together and prevent tooth decay from forming on those spaces where empty space exists between your other teeth.
Malocclusions
Orthodontic retainers are a great way to correct malocclusions. Malocclusion is when your teeth do not meet in the proper relationship. This can cause problems with chewing, speech and smiles. Orthodontic retainers are removable, which means they can be removed at any time as long as there is no damage to the tooth. They can correct malocclusions that may have occurred during childhood or adolescence.
Prevent relapse
Retainers can also help prevent relapse after a tooth has been extracted and moved. This is because moving your new tooth back into place is much more difficult than moving a fixed tooth that was already there. Keeping your mouth healthy is crucial, so your new teeth will stay in place once placed.
Prevents tooth loss
Retainers are also used to prevent tooth loss because they prevent teeth from moving forward too much, causing them to come in contact with each other as they grow. When braces come off, some people lose their teeth, but retainer use helps reduce the likelihood of this happening by keeping the teeth behind your braces together, so they don’t move forward into the space where there are no braces anymore (the gums).
Prevents tongue thrust
Tongue thrust is a common problem for many people with braces or other dental appliance types. It can happen due to wearing an orthodontic retainer, especially if you wear your appliance for several months or years. Tongue thrust can lead to pain, difficulty breathing and even the development of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems.
Retainers are a vital part of your orthodontic treatment. They are used to keep your teeth in place after removing braces. Retainers can improve your bite and jaw alignment, prevent relapse of tooth movement, and help you maintain a more youthful appearance. If you would love to try out retainers, reach out to Gaiduchik Orthodontics.
