The Importance of Wearing Retainers!

Braces Off! Attachments Off! TADA!

So now, your teeth look great! Congrats on this outcome. It was a team effort. We wish we could guarantee that everything stays put and nothing ever changes. We can’t. Why is that?

Well, for starters, if you’re a teen, you might not be completely done growing. Or maybe you have potentially impacted “wisdom” teeth that will be a nudge to move other teeth as they continue to develop.

If you are an adult, you likely have made peace with the fact that your body continues to change all the time. That muscle you built at the gym doesn’t stay around if you haven’t been there recently. That late night raid on the ice cream in the freezer too many times has caused your clothes to be a bit tight recently. You are reconciled to these truths.

But your teeth won’t stay put if you don’t retain them. Wearing two clear plastic retainers every night is a small price to pay to keep your orthodontic investment reaping dividends. But there’s also some additional efforts you need to exert:

Careful daily maintenance with brushing and flossing are a pre-requisite to maintain good dental health! A good rhythm of seeing your family dentist on 6 month intervals, despite what your insurance allows, is a good way to spot issues that can creep up and cause problems. Remember your dental insurance was negotiated with your employer, not with you!

At our office we don’t just “graduate” you once your retainers are in place. We discuss retainer options and start you on our retainer program that sees you at intervals for approximately two years should you choose to participate.

Credit: Dr. Connie Greeley

Credit: Dr. Connie Greeley

Credit: Dr. Connie Greeley

Credit: Dr. Connie Greeley

After Care is Health Care

Some treatment outcomes require additional attention. Like the upper incisors that want to move apart and create a space or the one tooth that wants to move back out of position unless it is lassoed into place. Many orthodontic “graduates” reading this will be nodding about how they need to have “hidden” retainers bonded to the back of some teeth to hold them in place in addition to the night time removable retainers.

Sometimes a visit to a periodontist is in order to help release elastic fibers from trying to unrotate a corrected tooth (known as a fiberotomy). Sometimes we are preserving space for an implant or a new crown so we work together with your restorative dentist.

It may sound like a big bother, but believe us when we all say (orthodontists, family dentists, oral hygienists and orthodontic technicians will likely all nod in agreement) “it pays to heed our advice!”

Here’s some additional motivation to maintain your dental health:

You really can’t “see” all that is going on beyond your gum tissue.

Credit: Dr. Connie Greeley

Credit: Dr. Connie Greeley

You will benefit from an oral examination every 6 months including x-rays that can pick up a problem brewing with a tooth.

A periodic oral cancer check can find things that need attention before they become a bigger problem.

A review of your medications, possible head/neck accidents that went undiagnosed deserve attention.

……Just to name a few benefits of having a health connection with your dentist and orthodontist.

I might also express the benefits of having an ongoing relationship with your dentist instead of choosing a place where you are seen by a different practitioner at every visit. Continuity of care is very rewarding.

So, smile and enjoy your beautiful and functional teeth! And be devoted to maintaining your teeth just like you should with your over-all health.

We are delighted to see you to discuss your orthodontic needs: 484-346-7846.