Orthodontic treatment might correct your smile, but teeth naturally shift back to crooked positions over time. Retainers are the last step of your teeth straightening journey, as wearing them after braces or invisible aligners maintains the proper shape of your teeth and jaw. We use technology to design fitting retainers and allow your new perfect smile to last a lifetime.
What Do Retainers Do?
Braces and invisible aligners do most of the job by exerting pressure on your jaw and teeth and pushing them to where they belong. However, once we remove your orthodontic appliance, oral tissue tries to adopt a troublesome position again. Therefore, you must wear retainers to keep your new teeth and bite in place and not waste months or years of treatment. When the position of your teeth becomes permanent, and you stop using retainers, you’ll have escaped issues like:
- A bad bite
- Overcrowding
- Gaps between your teeth
- Chewing and speech issues
How Long Does Treatment with Retainers Last?
Once your orthodontic treatment ends, you must wear your retainer while you sleep. This practice might sound tiring, but using this tray guarantees your smile and bite stay straight forever. The amount of time retainers remain a part of your life varies from patient to patient and is up to your dentist to decide. Yet, this variable mainly depends on how severe your misalignment issues were.
Retainer Care Tips
Retainers are durable, but you must keep this aligner free from accumulated bacteria and food remains for it to work correctly. Follow these steps to care for your retainer:
- Rinse and clean it
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Use the protective case
- Keep it away from heat
Southern Smiles Provides Custom Retainers in Jacksonville, FL
Don’t let your orthodontic treatment go to waste, and contact our team to get custom retainers. Let your smile stay straight forever by calling us today and booking an appointment!
