When a patient decides to invest in orthodontic treatment, they naturally want the greatest outcome they can get. The dentist or orthodontist may recommend a retainer to be worn after braces are removed to keep teeth in their new, ideal positions in the mouth. Applying dental retainers easton that will not be removed is a common method for achieving this.

What makes braces so effective at straightening teeth?

By applying consistent pressure in a well-calibrated pattern, braces move teeth into their proper locations in the jaw and correct misalignment. Brackets bonded directly to teeth are used to anchor an archwire of the appropriate form and size to either pull or push teeth into place. These wires are changed out at predetermined intervals to ensure that the teeth continue to be shifted into their ideal positions.

Most patients have their orthodontic treatment in 12–24 months, but this range is flexible and can be extended or shortened based on each patient’s specific needs. 

When orthodontic brackets are removed from teeth, what occurs next?

Metal bands and brackets are removed from a person’s teeth, and they can finally smile confidently. Having the braces removed does not mean that the teeth are no longer subject to pressure. A lot of force is put on our teeth all the time, including when we eat, speak, and even sleep (by clenching and grinding our teeth). Small amounts of pressure are applied to the teeth constantly, day after day.

Having nothing to resist these forces after having the braces removed might cause the teeth to shift out of place gradually. Some patients are more likely to experience a stronger version of this effect.

How can you stop teeth from shifting slowly over time?

There is only one surefire technique to stop teeth from slowly shifting: counterbalance the pressure that is always there from just living life. In order to prevent the teeth from shifting back into their original positions after orthodontic treatment, dentists and orthodontists sometimes advocate the use of a retainer. The type of retainer recommended by a patient’s dentist or orthodontist will vary based on the patient’s specific needs and the severity of the patient’s bite problems.

It is possible to have a retainer that is either detachable or fixed in place. Both fixed and removable retainers serve the same general objective of keeping teeth in their proper positions and preventing them from shifting over time despite their superficial differences in form and function.