Each of your braces adjustments played an important role in effectively correcting the alignment of your teeth. Now that your teeth have achieved their ideal position and orientation, Dr. Garland and our staff can uninstall the braces components.
Once this is done, you will still need to use some type of retainer. Without effective retention, any latent tension in your dental sockets could cause your teeth to relapse toward their old alignment.
A removable Hawley retainer is one of the more common options for preserving the position of your upper teeth. This is a molded acrylic mouth pieces that conforms to the shape of your mouth and interlocks with your teeth through series of durable wires.
If a specific area required significant realignment, Dr. Garland might need to install an additional fixed retainer behind the teeth. This is more common for lower front teeth or if your braces were needed to correct a significant overcrowding issue.
This is a strong metal band that will serve to hold the teeth in the new position while the tension gradually abates. Since it can’t be removed, you will need to provide the fixed retainer with a little special focus when brushing and flossing.
If you are in Sacramento, CA, and you have any questions about retainers, you can always call 916-422-1823 to speak to a staff member at Riverlake Family Dental today!