If you have been thinking about starting orthodontic treatment with braces or invisalign, or are currently going through orthodontic treatment, you may be thinking about retainers…
Will you need to wear retainers once you finish treatment? The answer is yes, you will. Let us explain why. Once your teeth are straight, you need to keep them straight, and that is exactly what retainers will do. Changes in tooth position is a naturally occurring phenomenon that will occur throughout one’s lifetime. If you want to keep your teeth in the position they are after you finish your orthodontic treatment, regardless of it is with braces or invisalign, you must wear your retainers. While small changes after treatment finishes is normal, retainers prevent teeth from going back to their original positions.
Why do I need retainers?
Retainers are recommended for two main reasons. The first reason is to allow your bone to heal and rebuild after your teeth have been moved to their new position. The second reason is to maintain the new and healthy positions of your teeth themselves. Just as your body changes throughout your whole life, so do your teeth.
Are there different retainer options?
We have a few different retainer options here at Mack and Hansen Orthodontics. Each patient receives 1 set of retainers at the completion of their treatment. We also offer retainer upgrades, which you can learn about here.
How long do I have to wear my retainers?
You will need to wear your retainers for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight. Many patients wear retainers nightly for life. Basically, it becomes part of your daily oral hygiene routine. You brush and floss your teeth before bed, and then place in your retainers to wear at night.
We offer several treatment options to take care of those front teeth that have rotated since you had treatment. Often, the cost of orthodontic treatment for an adult will be less than for a child if you've already had treatment when you were younger. To learn about your options you can request a complimentary consult here or you can give us a call or text us at 903-212-7737. We are located just a short drive from Gilmer, Marshall, Kilgore, Henderson, Carthage, and Mount Pleasant TX.
