If you’ve just finished treatment with braces or Invisalign, you may be eager to move on from orthodontics. After all, you’ve been wearing an oral appliance for a year or more! However, your dentist or orthodontist will likely recommend you now wear a retainer. What’s more, you must do so to avoid significant problems down the line. Read on to learn three reasons you’re better off using your retainer for your straightened smile.
It Prevents Orthodontic Relapse
As you know, orthodontics aligns teeth by moving them from their former position to a new one. Unfortunately, though, pearly whites can’t stay aligned on their own. Without outside help, they can quickly return to their earlier, crooked form.
It’s for these very reasons that patients wear a retainer in the first place. Per its name, the appliance “retains” your straightened smile for the long term. Still, you won’t need to need it as much as you did your braces or clear aligners. Six months after your initial treatment ends, you can start wearing your retainer 3-4 days a week. Over time, you can even get by just using it at night.
It Protects Your Investment
Orthodontics is almost always expensive. You likely spent thousands of dollars to get your smile straight and straight. Needless to say, you don’t want that money to go to waste.
Thankfully, retainers make sure that orthodontic treatments are a wise investment. Keeping your teeth in place ensures that your original procedure is cost-effective for many years. Plus, the appliance helps you avoid going through another costly straightening.
It Lets You Enjoy Straight Teeth for Life
You likely had a good basis for getting braces or Invisalign at all. Maybe you wanted to prevent health problems related to crooked, gapped teeth. On the other hand, perhaps you just wanted to impress others with a dazzlingly straight smile.
Whatever your motive, retainers make sure you enjoy the benefits of orthodontics for a lifetime. By keeping your teeth properly aligned, they’ll provide you with a smile that’s both beautiful and healthy. You thus won’t have to worry about losing the latter down the road.
While a retainer might seem like something safe to ignore, it really isn’t. Keep the reasons above in mind as you continue to wear it in the coming years!
About the Practice
Hart Orthodontics is based in Cleburne, TX. As led by Dr. James A. Hart, the practice provides young and old patients with great orthodontic treatments.. Its services include traditional braces, dental retainers, clear aligners, and even orthognathic surgery. The staff can also treat orthodontic emergencies as needed. Whatever the procedure, you can count on the Hart team to deliver quality results. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (817)-645-2432.