At the end of orthodontics, the teeth have moved to the ideal position, but the teeth are still unstable in the new position, the reconstruction of the alveolar bone and the changes of fibers and ligaments have not yet ended, and the new position of the teeth must be maintained with the help of a retainer to wait for the teeth to recover. The function of the retainer is to maintain this ideal relationship. Therefore, at this time, the patient needs to cooperate closely with the orthodontist, wear the retainer according to the doctor's advice, and do a regular reviews.
How long do retainers need to be worn?
The length of time the retainer is used is closely related to the stability of the teeth, and each person's situation is different.
It takes at least one year for periodontal tissue to recover and stabilize, and it is particularly easy to rebound in the first year after orthodontic treatment, so the orthodontic appliance must be worn regularly after the orthodontic treatment is completed.
It is recommended to wear it all day in the first year, that is, wear it during the day and night, and take it off when brushing your teeth and eating, and wear it at night in the second year, and then this time starts from the second year, or from the first year and a half, and the time is gradually reduced.
Now many people are encouraged to wear retainers for life, not to say that they must be worn every day in the future. After wearing them every day in the early stage, they will gradually decrease to once a week and once a month until they are taken off.
Precautions for wearing a retainer
1. Storage of the holder
Wear your retainer all day for the first year and only take it out when you eat and brush your teeth. In order to avoid accidental loss of the holder, especially when going out to eat, a pack of napkins is thrown on the table, and the rate of forgetting is relatively high. It is best to carry the holder storage box.
2. Cleaning of the retainer
For the cleaning of the transparent film retainer, you can often wipe the concave part with a cotton swab in water; for the plastic base Harley retainer, you should use a toothbrush to clean the uneven part on the back of the base after brushing your teeth. In addition, you can also soak the retainer in denture cleaning solution, or use an ultrasonic cleaner 1-2 times a week to help remove residue.
3. Periodic review
Although the active treatment of orthodontics has been completed, it does not mean that the orthodontic treatment is completely over, and wearing a retainer is also a very critical step; therefore, while wearing it when it is sufficient, it is also necessary to go to the hospital for regular review to ensure early detection Some signs of relapse.
