Part of Saint Visage Dental Group

Call Us 01224 827095

Fixed Retainers in Aberdeen

Go Back

What do I need to know about Permanent Retainers?

After your orthodontic treatment has been completed, retainers are crucial. After receiving orthodontic treatment, your teeth still want to shift until they settle, and the surrounding bone begins to harden.

The Importance of Retainers

To ensure that your teeth do not move once your orthodontic treatment is over, retainers are required. Your teeth will move if retainers are not inserted or worn, making all the effort you put into perfecting your smile useless. Hence, dentists suggest wearing retainers regularly and safeguarding your investment.

What are permanent retainers for teeth?

Metal wire retainers attached to your teeth are known as fixed or permanent retainers for teeth. Typically, this wire is solid, smooth, or braided in appearance. It is anchored to your teeth and customised to fit your mouth to prevent your teeth from moving. For the best long-term results, orthodontists frequently combine detachable and permanent retainers. However, recent polls of active orthodontists reveal that permanent retainers for teeth are gaining popularity.
The use of retainers depends on what is best for your teeth. Typically, removable retainers are used for the top teeth and permanent retainers for the bottom teeth. A permanent retainer is bonded to the back of the teeth; no one will be able to see it when you speak or smile. There are two types of permanent retainers for teeth; top permanent retainer and permanent retainer for bottom teeth.

 

What are the risks associated with permanent retainers for teeth?

Fixed retainers can be challenging to clean since food can get stuck in them and generate further tartar. If this buildup is not removed, it can lead to gum or even bone problems. Due to the wire being connected to your teeth, top and bottom retainers make flossing more challenging and call for specialised tools like floss threaders or a water flosser. Eating tough or crunchy foods when wearing permanent retainers for teeth requires caution because they could damage the wire or cause the glue to come off. To stop your teeth from shifting, you should contact your orthodontist as soon as this occurs. You might have to pay additional money to repair a permanent retainer if it breaks and needs replacement.
In addition to being more difficult to keep clean, fixed retainers can also increase your risk of developing cavities, bone loss, and gum disease in the regions they cover. Your teeth could get more encrusted with a plaque as a result.

How do I clean my teeth after having a permanent retainer?

To keep your retainer in good condition and safeguard the teeth nearby, you might need to clean them properly, especially when you have retainers behind teeth. You can clean your permanent retainers by below steps:

Clean your top permanent retainers and permanent retainers for bottom teeth,daily.Brush as you normally would, being careful to reach every crevice between the teeth with your bristles so that no area is missed, especially those close to the bonded material or those hidden behind the wire itself.

Take a 6-inch piece of floss and a floss threader, place one end of the floss between your fingers and the other end in the threader, then wriggle the floss between two of your front bottom teeth. Gently raise and lower the floss as it runs along the sides of the teeth from their tops to where they contact the gums while it is in between the teeth. Avoid using excessive force to avoid cutting or harming your gums. Move the floss to the top of the teeth once you’ve finished with one set of teeth, then slide it to the next set.

Can I quickly take my permanent retainer out?

You could need or desire to have a permanent retainer removed for various reasons. These include recurring damage to the wire, a problematic bite, and difficulties thoroughly cleaning the area around it, resulting in significant plaque and tartar buildup. A permanent retainer is easily removed, but only by a qualified orthodontist. This will guarantee that the job is done correctly and without harming your teeth or gums. Additionally, your orthodontist will be able to clean the surfaces of the brackets and wires and remove any cement residue.