Wearing retainer after teeth have shifted

Once teeth have shifted, the only way to fix it is by going back into active treatment (meaning more braces or aligners).

Any time spent waiting to repair/replace the retainer is more time for your teeth to move again. This needs to be replaced so that the retainer can do its job. If your retainer is broken, call your orthodontist right away. What should I do if my fixed retainer is broken? It is important to inspect the retainer regularly to see if any parts are loose or no longer attached to the teeth. Many people only notice the retainer is broken once the teeth have shifted. If the retainer is moving around at all, this could be a sign that the retainer is broken. Most people cannot tell right away that the retainer is broken. How can I tell that my fixed retainer is broken? However, if you are going to a new orthodontist for a fixed retainer, you can expect it to cost between $500.00 and $1,500.00. In most places where your smile is treated, fixed retainers are done for a small additional fee. The cost of fixed retainers varies from office to office and from area to area. If you have a lot of tartar build-up the dentist/hygienist who cleans your teeth may not be able to clean your teeth without breaking the retainer. Also, regular cleanings with the dentist will prevent too much tartar from developing in the area this makes it much easier for you to clean the retainers by yourself at home. Plaque weakens the glue and makes it easier to break the retainer off your teeth. Having good hygiene (brushing around and under the retainer and flossing regularly) will minimize plaque in the area. Also avoid putting things in your mouth that donвЂ™t belong there like fingers or pens/pencils. The first way to protect your retainer is to avoid foods that are very hard or crunchy. What can I do to minimize problems with a fixed retainer? The increased amount of plaque being trapped in your teeth can result Fixed retainers can also be harder to clean without good hygiene you are more likely to have gum disease, bone loss and cavities in the areas that are covered by the retainer. If a fixed retainer is broken and needs to be replaced, there will likely be a cost to replace it. Fixed retainers can break or come loose from eating foods that are too hard like chips or hard candies and can even happen with healthier foods that are crunchy like almonds or carrots. If it is not fixed right away, teeth can shift as if there is no retainer in place at all. So if it breaks or comes loose, it needs to be replaced. Your orthodontist will be the best person to ask about this.ДЄ fixed retainer is supposed to stay in place forever. For many patients, a permanent upper retainer is not a choice for this exact reason. However, if your bite is aligned in such a way that you risk biting onto the retainer or if the retainer causes you to change the way you bite down, a permanent retainer may not be a good idea. If you have issues with bone health, a permanent retainer may even be a better choice. Most patients are candidates for permanent retainers on their lower teeth. Bonded retainers donвЂ™t need to be removed, they are semi-permanently fixed in place. These retainers are metal wires that are glued to the inside of the upper and lower teeth to hold everything in place. The second alternative is a bonded or fixed retainers. Retainers resist this force and without them, teeth move on their own, resulting in a bite or smile that is no longer in its best shape. This is a risky choice as teeth are known to вЂњrelapseвЂќ, which means that the tooth may rotate or shift back towards its original position. There are two alternatives to removable retainers. What options do you have if you donвЂ™t want removable retainers? This can be a chore for some, so hereвЂ™s what you need to know if you are one of those people. You must wear them and take them out to eat and brush. Orthodontic retainers can be made of plastic or metal with acrylic and are needed to keep teeth in tip-top shape after they are well aligned. Many patients donвЂ™t like wearing retainers after their orthodontic treatment is complete.

Wearing retainer after teeth have shifted