One step in orthodontic treatments is to wear a retainer, a custom-made device worn in the mouth. Unfortunately, parents often struggle to enforce this step when their children receive orthodontic treatment.
This post will explore why retainers are used, how they work, and some of the different types of retainers.
To learn more about retainer use and whether they fit your child’s orthodontic needs, contact us at (480) 422-4544 to speak with one of our child pediatric dentists and orthodontists.
What Are the Reasons to Use a Retainer?
Orthodontic retainers are typically used to keep teeth in place after braces or aligners have done their job. This is the most common reason children are required to use them.
However, retainers can also be helpful in other situations. For instance, some retainers are designed with false teeth to replace missing ones. They can also help older patients whose teeth shift naturally with age. In these cases, wearing braces or aligners beforehand isn’t necessary for a retainer to work.
How Do Retainers Work?
Braces or aligners are worn until they correct the issue they were meant to fix, leaving the teeth properly aligned. However, even after a child’s teeth are straightened, they’re not fully secure in their new positions. Without the steady pressure from braces or aligners, teeth can slowly shift back toward their original misalignment—a process called relapse. This can result in malocclusion, where the upper and lower teeth no longer align properly.
Relapse can lead to teeth becoming misaligned again or to bite problems, requiring even more orthodontic treatment.
The risk of relapse is greatest during the first few months after braces removal but can persist over a period of years. A retainer holds the teeth in their new positions while the gums, bones, muscles, and ligaments in the jaws adjust to the absence of braces.
Your child’s dentist or orthodontist will usually recommend wearing a retainer at all times during the day and night for at least four to six months. After this initial period, continued use of a retainer at night may also be necessary.
What Are the Types of Retainers Orthodontists Recommend?
The two main types of retainers are fixed and removable. Many orthodontists will use a combination of both types.
Fixed Retainers
Fixed retainers, or permanent retainers, are frequently used on the upper and lower front teeth to prevent them from relapsing.
Fixed retainers consist of a bonded metal wire that the orthodontist applies to the inner (lingual) side of your child’s teeth with a bonding agent. This makes it impossible for anyone but the dentist or orthodontist to remove them. Examples of fixed retainers include braided wires, gold flex wire, straight wire, or prefabricated fixed retainers.
One of the benefits of using a fixed retainer is that you do not need to worry about whether your child uses it. On the downside, fixed retainers require wearers to pay close attention to keeping their teeth clean. This is especially important for fixed retainers that are applied to the lower front teeth. Otherwise, if food particles build up around and underneath the retainer wire this could eventually lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and even bone loss from poor oral hygiene.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers are typically recommended when the risk of relapse is lower. These retainers are made of plastic and may include a retaining wire, depending on the specific type prescribed.
- A Hawley retainer is a removable retainer that uses a retaining wire in a bow shape. The retaining wire is visible on the front teeth.
- A wrap-around retainer is similar to a Hawley retainer, except that the retaining wire wraps around all the teeth.
- Clear plastic retainers, like an Essix retainer or Invisalign clear plastic retainer, are virtually invisible and do not use wires. They tend to be preferred by patients due to their esthetic appearance
- A spring retainer is a removable retainer that connects a spring attached to a retaining wire to a plastic or acrylic frame. These retainers can be used after orthodontic treatment or as an alternative to braces when only minor tooth adjustments are needed.
Removable retainers make brushing and flossing easier for children. However, they’re only effective when worn consistently, and failing to wear them is a common cause of relapse after braces. Also, they are easier to become lost or damaged when not in use.
How Much Do Retainers Cost?
Retainers are typically included in the cost of the original orthodontic treatment. However, replacements or damaged devices may cost you a fee.
If a retainer is used as an alternative to braces, they may be covered under your existing health or dental insurance as a standalone treatment.
Removable Retainer Care and Maintenance
Caring for a removable retainer is much like caring for removable, clear plastic aligners. Here are some pointers to keep them in good condition:
- Remove them when eating, and do not chew gum while wearing retainers.
- Clean them daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush, cold (not hot) water, and a mild soap. Soaking them once weekly in a retainer cleaning solution can help to prevent bacterial plaque buildup.
- Brush and floss before re-inserting them. Proper oral hygiene helps keep teeth and gums in good condition and makes orthodontic appliances more effective.
- Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaning products like ones that have alcohol or bleach in them to avoid damaging the frame or harming your child if they ingest them.
- Store wire retainers in a protective case when they are not being worn. This protects them from potential damage to the frame
- Handle them with care when your child is taking them on or off.
- Do not leave retainers on hot surfaces or in hot environments like inside a car, where the plastic can deform or even melt. Do not boil your retainers to clean them.
- Keep them away from your pets. Your dog may chew on a retainer that is left out, and may even chew through the retainer case to get to your retainer. Keep retainers and cases out of reach of pets.
- See your child’s orthodontist regularly. An old retainer can wear out. Let your orthodontist know if your child is experiencing any loose or uncomfortable fit with a removable retainer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retainers
Can a Retainer Take the Place of Braces to Straighten Teeth?
Except for very mild cases of malocclusion, the general answer to this question is “No.” Permanent or removable teeth retainers cannot apply the same force to move teeth that braces and aligners can. They are best used to keep the teeth straight after being realigned by braces or aligners, and they should not be thought of as an alternative to braces.
Do Retainers Hurt?
Retainers are usually painless since they don’t exert the same force as braces or aligners. However, discomfort may occur if a removable retainer is worn after a long break or if it’s damaged.
What if a Retainer Breaks?
A cracked plastic frame or bent wire can irritate and make a retainer ineffective. Repairs aren’t something you can handle at home, so visit your orthodontist for a replacement.
What if a Retainer is Lost?
If your child loses a retainer, contact your orthodontist for a replacement as soon as possible. The longer your child goes without wearing a retainer, the more likely relapse problems can occur.
Call Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry to Learn More About Braces, Aligners, and Retainers
Although useful after orthodontic treatment, retainers may not be the best fit for your child.
If you’d like to learn more about whether a permanent or removable retainer is right for your child, or if have questions about orthodontic treatment generally, our Scottsdale child pediatric specialists will be happy to help.
Call us at (480) 422-4544 or contact us online to learn more or set up an appointment for your child today.
