Permanent Retainers
Retainment of the therapeutic effect is the last yet equally important phase of an orthodontic treatment. During this stage the teeth are retained in the correct position for as long as necessary so that there is no recurrence of the problem.
Retainment of the therapeutic effect is the last yet equally important phase of an orthodontic treatment. During this stage the teeth are retained in the correct position for as long as necessary so that there is no recurrence of the problem.
This stage is necessary as the periodontal ligament and the bones that surround the teeth need to be adjusted to their new position. Also, young patients who are still growing may experience an attenuation of the therapeutic effect more easily.
Retainment is achieved with the use of a fixed appliance that is placed on the inner surface of the upper or lower front teeth. It is a small lingual wire that holds the teeth together and stays in position thanks to a small amount of resin composite.
In order to permanently retain the therapeutic effect of our therapy we must:
- Carefully brush the back of the teeth, because the presence of the wire can ease the accumulation of plaque.
- Visit our dentist twice a year for teeth cleaning and our orthodontist for re-examination.
- Avoid consuming food that puts a lot of pressure onto the teeth or use our teeth to hold or open objects (e.g. plastic bottle lids).
The time needed to remove the retainer depends on several factors, more specifically on:
- the type of the orthodontic problem.
- the tendency of recurrence of the problem in each patient.
- the cooperation and behaviour of each patient.
The duration of this stage of the therapy is different in each patient and is defined by the orthodontist.
