Retainers are fitted at the end of orthodontic
treatment after the braces are removed. They can be either removable or
fixed onto the teeth. There are different types of retainers. The choice of
retainer is affected by a number of different factors and your orthodontist
will explain which retainer is best for you. Sometimes you will be
recommended to wear more than one type of retainer to reduce the chances of
the teeth relapsing.
Why do I need to wear retainers?
There are two reasons for wearing retainers:
- Teeth tend to want to move back towards their original positions.
This is called relapse.
- As we get older our teeth may start to move unpredictably, often
showing some crossing over and increased in crowding.
By wearing retainers long-term we can reduce these age changes in the
position of the teeth. The longer you wear retainers, the longer you can
keep your teeth straight.
