Orthodontic Retention
Waterford, Norwich, & Groton, CT
We make a variety of retainers and mouth guards at our in-house lab.
Many patients think that orthodontic treatment ends the day they get their braces off. However, the retention phase of treatment, which follows active tooth movement, is equally important in determining the long-term success of treatment. Once teeth have been aligned, a period of time is needed for them to stabilize so that the surrounding bone and tissue can adapt to the new positions.
There are several types and designs of retainers, including those that are removable and those that are fixed, or bonded to a patient’s teeth. The type of retainer each patient receives depends on the orthodontist’s recommendation and the patient’s personalized treatment plan. The orthodontist will also give instructions on how frequently and the length of time to wear the retainer. It is important for patients to understand that the longer teeth go without retainers, the higher the chance that teeth will begin to shift into their original positions.
Regularly wearing retainers is the best way to minimize the opportunity for shifting and the only way to maintain the alignment of teeth far into the future!
