Retainers

Retainers

Straight teeth for life

After completion of your treatment with braces, you will naturally want to preserve your beautiful set of straight teeth in future. Retainers prevent your teeth from moving again. You can read up on the exact procedure in our clinic below. We will also gladly provide you with more details in person. We are looking forward to your visit.

What do retainers do?

Our teeth are always moving. They especially tend to start moving after orthodontic treatment, as the treatment loosens them temporarily. Various factors, such as genetics and the initial alignment of the teeth, influence the extent to which the teeth start misaligning again.

After wearing braces for months or even years, you will, of course, want to enjoy the results for the rest of your life. Therefore it is important to counteract the tendency of the teeth to return to their initial position. Retainers are often part of the standard treatment after the braces are removed.

What types are there?

There are removable and fixed retainers. Both come with their own set of benefits and downsides. It is easier to remove plaque if the patient can remove the retaining instrument when eating or cleaning the teeth. However, this results in an increased risk of forgetting the retainer at a restaurant or allowing it to gather dust in a bedroom drawer.

Experience shows that fixed models have greater success rates. Removeable teeth stabilisers do suffice for patients with minor or mild misalignments, but only if the patient ensures regular use. We will gladly advise you on the right model for you during an extensive consultation session.

What does the treatment involve?

Fixed teeth stabilisers are attached to the inner sides of the front teeth. We usually take impressions of your teeth to produce a plaster model. After a pre-treatment, we attach the wire so it does not exert any pressure.

The procedure for removable retainers is similar. The dental technicians at our in-house laboratory manufacture a plated instrument consisting of special holding elements and plastic. Of course, we explain exactly how to insert the retention instrument. Fixed, transparent splints can also be used as retainers.

The overall duration of the retainer treatment differs from case to case. The jawbones and gums need to stabilise themselves relative to the new position of the teeth to prevent them from moving again. We often recommend using teeth stabilisers for as long as the actual treatment with braces. Sometimes it makes sense to continue treatment with retainers for the rest of your life.

We check the fit of your retainer during regular check-ups. If the retainers start to exert pressure or loosen, it is best to contact us immediately. This prevents unwanted movement of the teeth or swallowing of the wire. Your dental health is important to us.

What should patients pay attention to?

Removable retainers require your assistance. Please remember to wear your retaining instruments regularly. Otherwise, the likelihood of new misalignments rises up to 90% after 10 years. With proper care, some retainers can be worn for a lifetime.

Thorough dental hygiene is also important to clean fixed retaining instruments. Use interdental brushes to remove leftover food from the teeth and gums surrounding the retention instruments. This prevents caries from forming on hard to reach places. We will also gladly provide you with personal advice to optimise your oral hygiene habits.

For more information regarding this treatment