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Life After Braces

Home » Orthodontics » Life After Braces

One day in the not-too-distant future, your braces will come off. In a few moments, you’ll be free of bands and brackets, able to eat what you want, and run your tongue over smooth, clean teeth. But, even on this happy occasion, please remember that you’re not quite done with orthodontic treatment yet: The next phase, called retention, is just beginning.

Retention is a critical follow-through stage that typically involves wearing an orthodontic appliance called a retainer. Several different kinds of retainers are available, all of which are custom-made just for you. We will recommend the type (or types) that will work best in your situation, and we’ll tell you exactly when and how long you need to wear them.

But if your teeth are straight now, why do you need a retainer at all? Simply put, it’s because if you don’t wear one, your teeth will start moving right back to where they were!

Teeth aren’t set rigidly in the jawbone — instead, they’re held in place by a network of fibers called the periodontal ligaments. After they have been moved, it takes several months for the periodontal ligament to adjust to the new position. So if you want to keep that new smile — and not waste all the time, effort, and money it took to get it — it’s essential to wear your retainer as directed.

Being fitted for a retainer usually happens on the same day your braces are removed. After your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, we may take another set of X-rays and/or scans, to check how well your braces worked and to see how much your wisdom teeth have developed. Then, we’ll discuss your retainer and start getting it ready.

Three Types of Retainers

There are three basic types of retainers available today; each works best in particular situations. The most common is the so-called “Hawley” retainer — a thin, tongue-shaped piece of acrylic molded to fit your mouth, with a wire that holds your teeth in position. The Hawley retainer is simple, durable, and easily removed. It’s even possible to personalize it by choosing different colors and designs for the plastic arch. It can also be adjusted to correct minor tooth movements.

Another popular style of retainer is the clear aligner-type, which looks similar to the clear aligner tray system. These retainers are custom-made of thin, transparent plastic which is designed to fit precisely over your teeth. Their main advantage is that they’re invisible, with no wire to show. These retainers are also easy to remove, but they may be somewhat less durable than the Hawleys. They aren’t recommended for patients with certain conditions like teeth grinding.

Finally, fixed retainers may be an option for some people, especially on the lower front teeth. As their name implies, they aren’t removable by the wearer — but they aren’t visible either. Like lingual braces, this system uses a wire which is bonded to the tongue side of the teeth. It may remain in place for months, or longer. This type of retainer is sometimes recommended when there’s a high risk that teeth could revert to their former position.

Retainers

Finally, fixed retainers may be an option for some people, especially on the lower front teeth. As their name implies, they aren’t removable by the wearer — but they aren’t visible either. Like lingual braces, this system uses a wire which is bonded to the tongue side of the teeth. It may remain in place for months, or longer. This type of retainer is sometimes recommended when there’s a high risk that teeth could revert to their former position.

A Period of Adjustment

After a short time, most people adjust quite well to wearing a retainer. Some may find that they produce more saliva than usual for a day or so after first wearing any type of retainer — a normal reaction to a foreign object in the mouth. You may also find it a little harder to talk normally at first, but that problem will soon disappear. Of course, removable retainers should always be taken out when you eat or brush your teeth — a big change from braces!

At first, you will probably be told to wear your removable retainer all day, every day. This period of 24/7 retainer use generally lasts from several months to a year. Later, we may say that it’s OK to wear it only at night. Finally, you’ll probably need to put it on just a few nights a week.

Maintaining — and Retaining — Your Retainer

To stay fresh and germ-free, all retainers need proper cleaning. A Hawley-type retainer can be brushed gently with a regular toothbrush — but a brush may scratch the clear aligner types. Denture cleaners, in powder or tablet form, as well as special retainer cleaners, can be used to clean most removable retainers. Fixed retainers are cleaned by brushing and flossing; a floss threader or interproximal brush can also be a helpful cleaning tool when needed.

Finally, remember to always carry — and use — a retainer case. You’d be surprised how many retainers end up folded in a napkin and accidentally discarded! Also, don’t expose your retainer to excess heat by washing it in very hot water or leaving it on a heater: That can cause the retainer to warp and make it unusable. With proper care and conscientious use, a retainer can help you transition from braces to a permanent, healthy smile.

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Rachel H.
Amazing staff! Everyone is always friendly and professional and I love that they set you up with the whole plan and payments from the beginning so no surprises. They explain everything before they do it and that helped a lot with my kiddos anxiety too. Love them all! Highly recommend!
Mags A.
Love Sparkman Orthodontics! From the start, they made the process of getting Invisalign for my 11 year old son worry-free. I was concerned about having to work in multiple appointments over the course of the treatment, but fortunately, we are able to do our scans from home! Communication was quick and we've just moved to our last aligner for this phase of treatment and his teeth look great! Highly recommend.
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The whole staff is super nice, and they all made my son feel as comfortable as possible. By far this has been the place with most patience for him. They always make sure he knows exactly what to expect.
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Being a busy mom of four children and working full time appointments are hard to make. Sparkman orthodontics offers a scan at home which has been amazing! Super easy process to getting a straight and beautiful smile!!
6NZ_Alexis
amazing service great customer service, in and out quickly 30 mins tops
Marissa B.
Absolutely caring and professional!! Made the braces journey easy and enjoyable! Friendly staff and doctors! Answer all questions and are very knowledgeable!
Breanna M.
Sparkman has seriously been amazing with all four of my kiddos! Everyone is so thorough and friendly! I will always recommend Sparkman!
Michael V.
Very responsive and helpful through the whole process.
Camila
They did a great job on my son, highly recommend!👍
Debi L.
Love the doctors and staff..Jonathan was amazing today 😍
Sarah N.
5 stars! My daughter just got her braces off after 18ish months and her teeth are absolutely perfect. The doctors and all of the staff are very prompt & kind. Every appointment was quick & painless. I highly recommend Sparkman to anyone looking for help with their smile.
Rachel W.
Sparkman Orthodontics has a very friendly staff and care about their patients. Their doctors are fantastic! I highly recommend them as an orthodontist.
Daniel S.
Dr. Sparkman recommended my 9 year old son to get Invisalign and I was skeptical at first. But it has been great! My son is way more responsible with them than I thought he’d be and we haven’t had to come into the office for broken brackets or other problems you’d have with normal braces. I definitely recommend Dr. Sparkman and his staff for all your braces needs!
Whitney G.
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Sparkman Orthodontics! From the very beginning, everyone has been incredibly kind, patient, and welcoming. They always take the time to explain everything in a way that both I and my 8-year-old can understand, which has made the whole process so much easier and less intimidating.

We decided on Invisalign for her phase one treatment, and it’s been such a great decision for our family. Not only has it saved us from unexpected office visits for emergencies, but it also fit so well into our busy routine. The team was so thoughtful in helping us decide if Invisalign was the right choice, and we’ve felt supported every step of the way.

Now that she’s finishing up phase one, her smile looks absolutely beautiful - and seeing her confidence grow has been the best part of all. We are so grateful for the care and attention Sparkman Orthodontics has given our family!
Mary L.
Sparkman Orthodontics is absolutely amazing. I brought my daughter here, and we were met with a phenomenal team of workers. Everyone from the receptionist to the doctors were friendly and professional. Thank you! We highly recommend Sparkman Orthodontics!
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The Importance of Proper Retainer Care

After getting your braces off, it's important to understand the significance of properly caring for your retainer. Whether you have a removable retainer or a fixed one, regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial to ensure its effectiveness in keeping your teeth in their new positions. Neglecting your retainer care can lead to bacteria buildup, bad breath, and potential damage to the retainer itself.

Make sure to follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist on how to clean and store your retainer. Avoid using harsh chemicals or hot water when cleaning your retainer, as this can damage the material. Additionally, be proactive in scheduling regular check-ups to ensure that your retainer is still fitting correctly and doing its job in maintaining your beautiful smile.