After Orthodontic Treatment

Table of Contents
  1. After Orthodontic Treatment
  2. Retention Appliances Used After Orthodontic Treatment
  3. A few tips

Have you completed your orthodontic treatment? Congratulations! You have probably worked hard to get here. You are now entering a different phase of treatment to ensure that your new beautiful smile lasts – retainers. Let’s take a look at what to do after finishing orthodontic treatment.

Retainers used after orthodontic treatment are small appliances that try to keep your teeth in their new positions. Because when your treatment is finished, the bone around your teeth is not mature and they can move if the retainer is not worn. Even if the bone around your teeth matures, it may be necessary to keep the retainers in your mouth – sometimes for life – as recommended by your doctor.

after orthodontic treatment

Teeth move because the bone surrounding them is constantly being resorbed and re-formed. During ‘active’ orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist moves the teeth into the desired position by applying controlled and gentle forces through brackets or clear aligners.

Orthodontic Treatments

I recommend that you read my article on Orthodontic Treatments to learn more about orthodontic treatments.

After your treatment is complete, that is, after the brackets are removed from your mouth, the teeth may move again due to the forces of the cheek, tongue and chewing. In order to resist these forces, a retaining wire (lingual retainer) should be placed behind the teeth after your treatment is complete. No appliance or retainer can stop the movement of your teeth 100%, but if retainers are used as recommended after orthodontic treatment, they are very effective in stopping tooth movement.

Retention Appliances Used After Orthodontic Treatment

Depending on the tooth/jaw disorder, your orthodontist can apply 2 different types of retainers:

  1. removable – meaning you can put it on and take it off,
  2. fixed – a type of appliance that bonds to the back surfaces of the teeth.

Removable Retention Appliances

Removable retainers are frequently used after orthodontic treatment. You can put on and take off removable retainers at any time. Traditional Hawley retainers are the oldest retainer used. This appliance is made of a material called acrylic and has a wire on the front. Recently, Essix retainers have become especially popular. These appliances are almost invisible and are made of a plastic-like material.

A clear retention device applied to the upper and lower jaws to prevent teeth from deteriorating after orthodontic treatment is completed. Clear Retainer
Figure 1. Clear retainer (Essix) on the upper and lower jaws
A clear retainer on the upper jaw to prevent teeth from deteriorating after orthodontic treatment is completed.
Figure 2. Clear retainer (Essix) on the upper jaw
Hawley appliance, one of the removable retainers. The wire of the appliance passing through the outer surface of the front teeth is visible.
Figure 3. Hawley appliance, one of the removable retention appliances.

Fixed Retention Appliances

Fixed retainers are frequently used after orthodontic treatment. Fixed retainers (lingual retainers) are bonded to the back of your teeth by your doctor and removed by your doctor when necessary. These small appliances are bonded to the invisible inner part of the teeth.

A fixed lingual retainer that is bonded to the tongue-facing surfaces of the lower teeth after orthodontic treatment is completed.
Figure 4. Fixed retainer attached to the lingual surface of the lower teeth
Lingual retainer is placed on the inner surfaces of the upper teeth after orthodontic treatment is completed.
Figure 5. Lingual retainer attached to the tongue-facing surface of the upper teeth

Sometimes, only a fixed or only a removable retainer is sufficient. In some cases, your doctor may apply both fixed and removable retainers.

Your orthodontist will inform you about how often and for how long you should use retainers.

Remember!

If you do not wear retainers, your teeth may move!

A few tips

  • If you are using a removable retainer, be sure to keep it in its case when it is not in your mouth.
  • Always carry the appliance case with you.
  • Do not put your appliance in your pocket or wallet.
  • Never wrap your appliance in tissue, as this is usually how it ends up in the trash. This is especially true if you are using a clear retainer (essix).
  • Keep your appliance away from pets. Dogs in particular love to chew on Essix retainers.
  • If you are using a removable retainer, keep it away from heat. Especially Essix appliances can melt easily in hot environments.
  • Take care to keep your retainers clean.
  • Your orthodontist will give you information on how to clean the removable retainer you will use. Be sure to brush your teeth before putting the retainer in your mouth. Click to view my article on retainer care.
  • You can brush, floss, and use mouthwash for fixed retainers.
  • If you are using a removable retainer, ask your doctor if it should be removed while eating. Most of the time, the retainer is not used during meals.
  • If you are using the Essix retainer, do not consume liquids other than water while the appliance is in your mouth. Because colored liquids (coffee, tea, red wine, etc.) remain between the appliance and the tooth and can color both the appliance and the tooth.
  • If you have a problem with your retainer – breakage, loosening, tightening, loss, etc., be sure to inform your orthodontist.

Having a healthy and beautiful smile is in your hands. During and after your treatment, pay attention to oral hygiene and have routine dentist check-ups. Maintaining the wonderful results you have achieved with orthodontic treatment is in your hands. Therefore, you should use the retainers as and for the duration recommended by your doctor.

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