“How can I maintain the results of my orthodontic treatment? Will I need permanent retainers?” These are common questions that arise for anyone considering improving the aesthetics of their smile and oral health through one of the available orthodontic tools.

In this article from Dr. Basel Mofti’s clinic in Dubai, we will address these questions by explaining the ways to preserve the results of orthodontic treatment in the long term, emphasizing the importance of Retainers after the removal of dental braces.

How to maintain long-term orthodontic results?

In order to maintain long-term orthodontic results, you must follow these instructions:

1. Maintaining Oral Hygiene

It is essential to maintain oral hygiene during and after orthodontic treatment. This includes carefully cleaning your teeth and arches after every meal using dental floss and a toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.

2. Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods

You should avoid hard or sticky foods, such as caramel and gum while wearing braces because these foods can stick to the arches and cause damage or dislodgement.

3. Follow-up with an Orthodontist

Regular follow-up appointments with an orthodontic are crucial to ensure that your teeth are moving correctly and to determine the right time for removing the dental braces.

4. Wear Retainers

After completing orthodontic treatment, an orthodontist will provide you with a Retainer to maintain the position of your teeth. It’s important to wear the Retainers regularly to prevent your teeth from shifting again.

Remember that maintaining long-term orthodontic results requires diligence and a commitment to oral health. Always consult with your orthodontist or dentist for personalized advice based on your specific orthodontic treatment plan.

Retainers after orthodontics

Will I Need Permanent Retainers After Orthodontic Treatment?

Yes, in most cases, if not all, you will need to wear some form of Retainer after removing your dental braces. Retainers serve as a form of insurance for your new smile, which you’ve worked on with your orthodontist for months, enduring some discomfort as your teeth were moved into their ideal positions.

Through retainers, you ensure that your teeth don’t revert to their previous positions or become irregular due to natural changes in maturity.

This is easily noticeable in patients who underwent orthodontic treatment 30 years ago; you’ll notice changes in the results after removing dental braces, as there was no permanent retainer option back then. It was limited to removable night retainers, and once you stopped using them, your teeth would move slightly especially the lower teeth.

What Are Dental Retainers?

Dental retainers are devices placed in the mouth after completing orthodontic treatment to maintain the teeth in their new, corrected positions. The reason for using retainers is that teeth tend to naturally shift back to their previous positions, especially the lower ones, after orthodontic treatment. Therefore, using retainers for a period of time helps stabilize the teeth and prevents them from reverting to their previous positions.

Dental retainers are devices placed in the mouth after completing orthodontic treatment to maintain the teeth in their new, corrected positions. The reason for using retainers is that teeth tend to naturally shift back to their previous positions, especially the lower ones, after orthodontic treatment. Therefore, using retainers for a period of time helps stabilize the teeth and prevents them from reverting to their previous positions.

Types of dental Retainers

Dental retainers are available in different types, including:

Firstly – Removable Retainers

Removable retainers comprise two main types, namely the wire Hawley retainer and clear plastic retainers. The “Hawley retainer” consists of wire clasps that surround the teeth, along with a plastic plate covering the roof of the mouth. However, they can be easily removed for cleaning and then worn again.

As for the clear plastic retainers, they are transparent plastic molds that cover the entire teeth and are less noticeable. They can also be easily removed for cleaning and reapplication.