How long bonded retainer
Home Blog How long can Teeth Retainers last? How long can Teeth Retainers last? Bonded retainers A bonded retainer is a type of permanent retainer, in that it is essentially a wire that is bonded to the back of your teeth. Removable Retainers There are two main types of removable retainers, Hawley and Essix. Tags: brace aftercare brace care essix retainers fixed retainers hawley retainers manchester orthodontics Northenden House Orthodontics retainers teeth retainers teeth straightening teeth straightening treatment.
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But before we discuss that, let's review why retainers are such an important part of orthodontic treatment. Although you wouldn't think so, teeth have the ability to move — in fact they move ever so slightly all the time, in response to the normal forces of biting and chewing.
They are able to move because they are attached to the jawbone by a stretchy network of fibers called the periodontal ligament "peri" — around; "odont" — tooth , and because bone is living tissue that reshapes itself in response to the forces that act upon it. Orthodontists use braces to apply precise, controlled forces to the teeth in order to move them in a planned direction.
These forces cause the periodontal ligament to stretch and the bone around the teeth to remodel. Bone cells are re-absorbed by the body on one side of the teeth in response to pressure; on the other side, new bone cells are added in response to the ligament being stretched. But just as a rubber band that's stretched out can resume its original form when the tension is released, so too can the periodontal ligament though not as quickly. Over time, if the ligament hasn't remodeled, it can attempt to go back to where it was; thus, the teeth attached to it will be pulled along with it — right back into a misaligned position.
The chance of this happening "relapse potential" is particularly strong within the first three months after braces are removed, when the bony substructure around the tooth roots is relatively soft from the remodeling process.
The risk gradually declines after this point, but never completely disappears. This is where retainers come in: Their purpose is to hold the teeth in the improved alignment created by orthodontic treatment. Although there are many different types of retainers, they can be divided into two basic categories: removable and non-removable. The non-removable kind is bonded to the back of the teeth with a dental composite material that is hardened with a special curing light, and is very strong.
Only a dentist can remove this type of retainer. The process of bonding a retainer takes only a few minutes. They're only called "permanent" because they can't be removed easily, unlike removable retainers.
Permanent retainers do eventually wear out, but they've been known to last for upwards of 20 years. When they wear out, they can be removed and replaced. Permanent retainers are typically recommended for people who have had their bite corrected with braces. Once the braces are removed, the permanent retainer prevents the teeth from returning to the original position. Permanent retainers are more commonly installed on the lower teeth, though they can be installed on the upper or lower teeth.
Your orthodontist will help you decide where your permanent retainer should be installed. So if you're trying to decide whether to install a permanent retainer, you should know the pros and cons of this type of dental appliance. There are many advantages. Despite all the benefits, there are some qualities about permanent retainers that people find annoying. This is what you need to know. Learning to floss with a permanent retainer is the real challenge of living comfortably with this kind of appliance.
To get the job done, use a 6-inch piece of floss and a floss threader. A floss threader is a device that looks kind like a plastic sewing needle. To floss, start by threading the floss through the eyehole in the threader. Next, insert the threader in the space between the teeth until the end of the floss is on the other side of the teeth.
Finally, pull the floss through the teeth and floss like normal. Repeat this process for the space between each pair of teeth.
It's a process, but you'll get used to it with time. Brushing and flossing can take several extra minutes for someone with a permanent retainer. The cost for a permanent retainer is usually included in a total treatment plan. For example, you may pay for braces and a permanent retainer as part of one extended treatment. At Laster Orthodontics, we don't want costs to prevent anyone from receiving the treatment they need. Ask us about our payment plans. Yes, you can remove a permanent retainer, either because you've decided that you no longer need one or because your old retainer needs replacement.
Recall that permanent retainers can last up to 20 years. The only safe and effective way to remove your permanent retainer is to have the work done by a trained, experienced orthodontist. If you're ready to have the permanent retainer removed from your mouth, contact Laster Orthodontics to make an appointment for a permanent retainer removal. That said, if you're thinking about installing a permanent retainer only to remove it a few years after the retainer is installed, it may be that you'd be happier with a removable retainer.
See our blog article to consider this issue for yourself. Is a permanent retainer right for you?