When you finish with your orthodontics, you are excited about your new smile and glad to be done with braces. However, while it is certainly important to revel in the freedom of your new smile, equally important is taking the necessary action to retain it. And that comes down to one word — retainers.After completing any form of orthodontic treatment under the care of our skilled dentists, you will be prescribed a retainer that will be custom-made to fit your smile. Your dentist will give you instructions for how and when to wear this retainer, characterizing it as your “retention phase” of treatment. This will last a minimum of 24 months. But, while that is the prescribed time for the phase, it is truly recommended that you continue wearing your retainer past that. Maybe not with the same prescribed consistency your dentist initially provided, but at least with some regularity.
Ongoing Shifts
Even if you’ve had the best braces treatment possible, over time your teeth will start to shift toward their original positions. This is because your gum fibers will slowly, but consistently try and pull your teeth back to where they once were. Additionally, as you age your facial skeletal structure changes, and your teeth experience natural wear. As a result, the perfectly straight smile you leave the dentist with could become unstraightened over time, your teeth becoming a victim to a crowding relapse.
When to Wear
While your dentist may prescribe consistent retainer wear for the official retention phase of Invisalign treatment, past that we recommend wearing your retainer at night as often as possible for as long as possible. This will make the difference in preserving your straight smile for the future.
A Lifetime of Straight Smiles
As your trusted Rathmines, Dublin dentistry, our dentists are dedicated to helping you attain a straight, beautiful smile. Once that’s done, we encourage you to take pride in your smile by doing your part to maintain it throughout the rest of your life. Wear your retainer as often as you can past the recommended retention phase and your teeth will be less likely to shift back to their old positions. For more information about retainers or orthodontics in general, contact Canal View Dental Surgery now!
