Once you have completed your orthodontic treatment plan, you will need to take measures to keep your new smile in place. Your teeth have just made a journey through your jawbone and soft tissue to land in a new place, and now they need time to settle into their new position. That’s where the orthodontic retainer comes in.
Your orthodontist will tell you what you can expect while wearing the retainers. Depending on your age at the time your braces come off, you may have to wear your retainer for several months or longer. It’s common practice for most young people to wear the retainer until their jawbone is no longer growing. That means they may be wearing a retainer into their early 20’s. Even though it seems like a long time, maintaining your beautiful smile and straight teeth with your retainer after braces in Suwanee & Cumming, GA, is a great reward for such diligence!
Unfortunately, many young people, college students, in particular, do not realize the necessity of continuing to wear a retainer until the jawbone stops growing. This results in teeth moving back out of alignment. Resuming the use of the retainer at this point can be uncomfortable or painful if it fits at all. Your orthodontist will explain to you the necessity of your retainer after braces in Suwanee & Cumming, GA, as they are an important part of keeping your teeth straight.
There are a variety of retainers available. Your orthodontist will talk to you about the types of retainers that are best for your situation. Removable retainers after braces in Suwanee & Cumming, GA, are very popular, with the Hawley retainer and Essix being among the most common in use. The Hawley retainer has a metal wire affixed on an arch made of acrylic. Your orthodontist will need to adjust the wire from time to time to keep the teeth in alignment. The Essix retainer is a vacuum-formed retainer, and it fits completely over the arch. Fixed retainers are attached to the backside of the teeth.
When it comes time to choose a retainer, our orthodontist will help you choose the one that best fits you. It will be important for you to follow the doctor’s recommendations, so you can keep your vibrant new smile in great shape. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment for your retainer after braces in Suwanee & Cumming, GA.
Dr. Walton, our 5-star rated Suwanee, GA, orthodontist specializes in orthodontic care for you or your child with the most advanced types of braces for children, teens, and adults. These types of braces include metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Damon braces, In-Ovation braces, braces behind your teeth and short-term braces. Visit our convenient Suwanee orthodontic office serving patients in Suwanee, Cumming, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth and Milton, GA. Call 770.663.0955 today for your or your child's complimentary, no-obligation consultation for braces or Invisalign today!