You can look glamorous when you smile. Unfortunately, not everyone has a beautiful smile. If such is the case, orthodontic specialists can help enhance your smile and appearance. Using orthodontic appliances, these professionals can correct teeth and jaw flaws such as crooked teeth and improper bites.
Solution for an Attractive Smile
Well-aligned and straight teeth can help you have a perfect smile. Orthodontic specialists temporarily place dental braces on teeth to align and straighten them. The professionals tighten an archwire inserted through the device to shift the teeth into the desired positions. Adults, teens, and children can align their teeth using braces.
A Miami orthodontist can use braces to correct the position of the jaw and teeth. When attached directly to the teeth, the brackets and the archwire inserted in them apply pressure to the teeth. Over time, the teeth move to their proper position. Sometimes, dentists use rubber bands to reinforce the braces, applying more pressure on the teeth.
Various types of dental braces exist. However, your dentist can help you identify the best fit for you. The devices are attached to the front of the teeth or the backside. In the latter case, the retainers are hidden. Lingual braces are ideal if you want aligners that are not visible to others. Furthermore, Invisalign uses clear tooth aligners to correct tooth position.
The Second Phase of Orthodontic Care
Using braces is the active stage of orthodontic treatment. When you get the braces off, you must enter the retention phase to ensure that the alignment lasts. However, a retainer maintains your teeth in the right position by preventing them from shifting after being aligned. The orthodontic retainers are either made of wire or transparent plastic.
After getting off the braces, your orthodontic situation determines how long you will use the retainers. You may be required to wear it throughout the day in the first months after removing the braces or only at night. Following an orthodontist’s instructions on using and maintaining retainers to achieve the best results is necessary.
Getting the Best Results after Tooth Alignment
If you discontinue orthodontic treatment, your teeth may revert to their crooked position after you remove your braces. Retainers can help keep the teeth straight and in their new position, providing better results. Consequently, you will have a beautiful smile when you wear these orthodontic appliances according to your orthodontist’s instructions.
The orthodontic retainers can be fixed or removable. Orthodontic specialists take patients through the pros and cons of each type of retainer before choosing one suitable for their dentition. After assessing your orthodontic situation, a Doral orthodontist can determine how long you will wear retainers and whether they should be removable or fixed.
Fixed or permanent retainers are ideal for the upper arch and are a good option for individuals who may need to remember consistently wearing the device. The retainers are glued to the teeth and secured by a small bar attached to the backside. This type of retainer is hidden and doesn’t significantly affect how the teeth feel.
On the other hand, removable retainers are worn at intervals as instructed by orthodontists. Depending on the severity of the corrected dental issue, you may wear the orthodontic appliances for a year or a few months. Initially, you may be required to wear the retainers throughout the day for months and later during specified periods, like at night.
Removing your removable retainers while eating is necessary to keep them clean. Besides, it will help you maintain the device. The removable retainers include the types mentioned below:
Hawley retainers: These retainers are made of acrylic and wire. The wire surrounds the teeth to keep the device in position and can be adjusted for minor alignment corrections. These retainers are easy to clean and can last longer when carefully handled.
Essix retainers are clear teeth aligners that go from canine to canine.
It resembles an Invisalign.
Zendura retainers: The retainers are tough and can resist stress.
Using retainers after getting your braces off keeps your teeth in the right position. Besides, these orthodontic appliances can correct issues like tongue thrust and bruxism.
Keeping Your Retainers Clean
Bacteria can accumulate on the retainers just as they do on the teeth. If you keep your teeth aligners clean, they will develop a good odor. Besides, a greasy white film will form on them. If you don’t clean your retainers, the layer hardens and becomes difficult to remove. Keeping your retainers odor-free, clean, and safe would be better than replacing the device.
When brushing your teeth after each meal, clean your fixed retainers. Thoroughly brush under the wire with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Then, use dental floss. The brushing method could be better for transparent Essix retainers. It will result in scratches on the clear plastic, making the retainers visible.
You can easily clean your removable retainers when you take them out, and it is best to do so at night. When you remove the retainers, a quick rinse with warm water can wash off surface bacteria. Avoid using antibacterial wipes on the device, as their content can be toxic if it comes in contact with the mouth. Besides, it will help if you carefully avoid breaking the device. Ensure that you place it in its case when you are not wearing it.
Soaking retainers in an alcohol-based mouthwash or a weak hydrogen peroxide solution can kill germs. However, it won’t remove the slimy white buildup on the orthodontic appliances. Instead, the harsh chemicals will damage the retainers’ plastic surfaces over time and turn them yellow. Denture cleaning tablets meant for false teeth can have the same effect when used on retainers.
It is best to use cleaning products formulated by manufacturers of retainers. These products can eliminate germs and the greasy white layer without damaging the plastic retainers. You need to follow the cleaning instructions to obtain the best results. Besides, a good case will help keep your retainers safe. Wrapping it in a napkin is a sure way to lose it.
Your teeth will shift back to their crooked position if you fail to wear retainers after removing the braces. Though you may not notice it at first, the relapse in tooth alignment will become apparent with time. Fortunately, wearing your retainers will maintain your teeth in the right position, giving you a perfect smile.