What is a Permanent Retainer??

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Sept. 22, 2015 - PRLog -- Vancouver, BC – Have you been told you need a permanent retainer? What is it exactly, and how does it work?

The most exciting day in any orthodontist’s office is the day braces come off. The patients are ecstatic and can’t wait to see their new smiles. But just because the braces come off, that doesn’t mean the orthodontic treatment is over. Patients will still need to wear a retainer, and in some cases, a permanent one will be recommended.

After braces are removed, the teeth can shift a little bit. The surrounding tissues are still getting used to the new locations of the teeth, and need some time to adjust. The retainer insures your teeth maintain their new locations, and that the tissues of your mouth have time to adjust. Removable retainers are the most common, however, they are easy to forget or lose. Permanent retainers are ideal for patients who don’t want to worry about remembering their retainer or who are afraid they might lose it.

Permanent retainers are bonded to the lingual, or tongue side, of the teeth. They are typically used only on the lower teeth and provide a better long-term result than removable retainers. The biggest advantages to these are that they can never be lost, and the patient doesn’t have to remember to put it in.

Permanent retainers are made of a flexible, stainless steel wire that is bonded to each tooth. It remains in the mouth indefinitely, until the orthodontist deems it can be removed. In this case, a removable retainer will be given to ensure the teeth don’t shift as the patient ages.

The biggest drawback to a permanent retainer(http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com/retention.html) is that it can be difficult to keep clean. If not cleaned properly, plaque can build up, leading to decay. To floss the teeth properly, patients often need to use a floss threader that will allow the floss to go under the retainer wire. One it is under the wire, the patient can floss as normal.

If you have questions about properly caring for your permanent retainer, or wonder if a permanent retainer would be right for you, speak with your orthodontist.

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To learn more about BC Orthodontics Group please call 604-533-6696 for Langley, 604-629-0452 for Vancouver, 604-589-2212 for Surrey, 604-949-0654 for Coquitlam Town Centre, 936-4225 for Coquitlam Austin Heights, and 604-463-1125 for Maple Ridge.

About Us

BC Orthodontics Group and Dr. Aly Kanani provide excellent orthodontic care at a fair price and pride themselves on their exceptional patient care.

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