Retainers in Brooklyn

Your orthodontic care doesn’t end when you get your braces off. Even once your teeth have been straightened and your brackets and wires removed, they still have the potential to shift back into their original positions until they’ve fully established their new positions in your jaw bones. That’s why we require that our patients wear retainers as a continuous part of their orthodontic treatment plan.

At Brace Central Orthodontics in Brooklyn, we specialize in helping our patients shape and maintain their ideal smiles. Retainers are an essential part of this process. If you’d like more information about our practice, or would like to get started on treatment, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Long Will I Have to Wear Retainers For?

When your braces are first removed, we recommend that you wear your retainer full-time for approximately six months. During this time, new bone is deposited around your teeth to help secure them in their new positions. Once this bone has been established, your teeth should stay in their aligned positions without the need for a retainer for a few decades.

But following this period of extended wear and teeth establishment, you’ll be advised to wear your retainers at night for the rest of your life. We know that this might seem harsh or unnecessary, but the reality of the situation is that if you don’t continue to wear retainers for at least some period of time every week, the position of your teeth will shift very slowly over time. It may happen so slowly that you don’t realize it until it’s too late, and the beautiful smile that your braces created is ruined.

What Should I do to Maintain my Retainers?

Since retainers are typically inside of your mouth for extended periods of time and are a necessary part of sustaining a radiant smile, it’s important to keep them safe and clean. It’s especially easy to lose your retainer during the period of full-time use following the removal of your braces because you will have to take it out and keep it with you while you eat. During these situations, it can be easy to lose track of your retainer and accidentally throw it in the garbage. While retainer replacements are available, they usually require additional molds to be taken of your teeth, as well as a fee.

Retainers can also harbor harmful bacteria if you don’t properly clean them. Make sure to brush your retainer carefully and thoroughly before putting it in your mouth to minimize this risk.

If you need a replacement retainer, are interested in starting a teeth or jaw correction plan, or just have any questions, feel free to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!

The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected! Remember, wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainer care in Brooklyn, NY, works when you follow our instructions.