Permanent retainers for your teeth are alignment tools that an orthodontist often recommends to keep your things in place after removing your braces. These retainers consist of metal wires that latch onto your teeth to keep them from shifting. Although the effect of braces does not last long, permanent retainers are getting preferences to maintain well-aligned teeth.
The retainers work well, but you need to ask whether you need a retainer. A quick read through the following article will help you get an insight on permanent retainers that will help you answer the question.
Understanding retainers
As the name suggests, a permanent retainer is supposed to stay on your teeth for an indefinite amount of time. Thus, a better understanding of the retainer is required before getting one. Retainers are designed to have a lasting effect on your teeth and keep them aligned for life.
Retainers are mostly attached to the lower jaw, which sits on your teeth and preferably on top of canine teeth to increase their effectiveness. A permanent retainer is built from a metal wire connected to the teeth with a bonding agent. The wire keeps the teeth in place and prevents them from moving.
Pros and cons of permanent retainers
Permanent retainers after braces sound like a good solution for your misaligned teeth, but they come with sets of advantages and drawbacks that one should be aware of.
Pros of the retainer
- Permanent retainers are not visible to the naked eye; hence it is impossible for someone to tell that you have aligners on.
- It takes away the hassle of taking it off and on and is a much more convenient option over braces.
- As the permanent retainer cannot be removed, there shall be no fear of losing it.
- The permanent retainer is durable and sturdy for daily use and does not get damaged.
- It ensures that your teeth stay in place all the time to ensure maximum benefit.
- It is built in a minimalistic way and does not interfere with your speech.
Cons of the retainer
- Getting a permanent retainer is time-consuming and can cause some discomfort afterward.
- It requires proper care and effort to clean around the retainers as it does get in the way of brushing your teeth.
- It can be very uncomfortable since the building material is mostly metal wires which can be unpleasant at the touch, and you can get scratches.
- Permanent retainers force you to change eating habits. For example, when the retainer is in place, one has to be careful about biting into hard foods and avoids food that contains sugar and soda, which can erode the special bonding solution of the retainer.
- The metal wire requires repairing or replacement in case they break off or when the bonding material wears away.
Taking care of permanent retainers
As convenient as permanent retainers after braces sound for your daily activity, a significant amount of care must be put in.
- Permanent retainers demand careful brushing and cleaning to avoid damage.
- Make sure not to leave out any area while brushing or flossing, as there could be unclean pockets in your teeth where bacteria can reside.
- Monitor plaque and bacteria deposits around the retainer.
Final Takeaway
Permanent retainers do work for what it was made for, but it requires quite a bit of maintenance. Removal retainers are still a good option despite being less convenient than providing functionality without the other cons. It is usually suggested to talk to your dentist about what will work best for you.
To get more quality and stress-free treatment for your precious teeth, visit Oswal Dental Clinic. We cover all dental services, from removing your wisdom tooth to getting you a permanent retainer.