Benefits and care
A non-removable retainer is invisible, does not interfere with speech and holds teeth permanently - this is its main advantage over removable appliances. Most often it is installed on the lower incisors and canines, where the risk of relapse is greatest. Care requires attention: plaque accumulates around the wire, so you need dental floss with a guide or an irrigator and professional hygiene every six months. If even one section comes off, the retainer stops working—a visit to the orthodontist is needed.
Why retention is mandatory
After the braces are removed, the teeth tend to return to their previous position: the ligaments and bone tissue around them have not yet completely rebuilt. This process is called relapse, and without restraint devices it develops in most patients.
The retention period is not a formality, but a full-fledged part of orthodontic treatment. Its duration is usually no less than the period of wearing braces, and a retainer is often left on the lower incisors for many years.
Types of retention devices
- non-removable retainer - a thin wire glued to the inside of the teeth, works around the clock
- removable transparent mouthguard - put on at night, invisible and easy to remove
- removable plate with a plastic base - holds both the teeth and the shape of the dental arch
How to care
Plaque easily accumulates around a non-removable retainer, so you need dental floss with a guide, brushes or an irrigator, and professional hygiene every six months. Removable devices are cleaned with a brush and stored in a container - hot water will deform them.