Now that the orthodontists at A&A Orthodontics have effectively realigned your teeth into your ideal smile, your braces can be removed. It’s important to keep in mind that your adjustment sessions progressively stretched the periodontal ligaments anchoring your teeth in the sockets. After your braces come off, there will still be some residual tension that needs to be addressed to prevent your teeth from relapsing out of position.
To prevent this from happening, your orthodontist will fit you for some type of retainer. While most people need a Hawley retainer, you might also be a candidate for a clear plastic retainer. If your front teeth needed significant realignment the orthodontist might need to cement a metal band fixed retainer behind the teeth to hold them in place.
As a general rule of thumb, you need to use a retainer for about as long as you had to wear braces. If you don’t wear your retainer during the prescribed times, or it is damaged, it might increase the amount of time you need to use it. Depending on how your periodontal ligaments respond to the retention process, your orthodontist might adjust the amount of time you need to use it.
You should expect your mouth to salivate a little more for the first few days after you start using a retainer. This is natural. After a few days, your mouth will adapt, and the problem should abate.
If you are due to have your braces removed and you have questions about retainers, please feel free to call Dr. Adenwalla and Dr. Ashai’s offices in Sandusky, Ohio, at for further advice.
