You've invested a lot of time and effort into achieving a beautiful, straight smile through orthodontic treatment. Now, it's time to preserve those results and ensure your smile remains in great shape with our variety of retainers.
Simply put, it’s because your teeth want to move. Once your teeth have been moved into a different position by orthodontic treatment like clear aligners or braces, they still have a “memory” of where they’ve been. That means that, over time, your teeth may drift toward their old positions unless you wear a retainer. When teeth shift, this can affect your bite, resulting in crooked teeth, spacing, or other problems. Retainers are important because they protect your orthodontic results. If you wear your retainer as directed by your dentist, you stand the best chance of keeping a healthy and beautiful smile for a lifetime.
The oldest known evidence of orthodontic treatment dates back to ancient Egypt.
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Phase 1 orthodontics is particularly important in patients who may have serious jaw problems or a narrow palate. These issues can interfere with the development of a healthy bite. In the future, this could lead to problems when the permanent teeth erupt, speech impediments, premature tooth wear, and lots of other problems. With early interceptive orthodontics, these complex issues can be reduced or eliminated.
Early interceptive orthodontics helps the adult teeth erupt in the proper places, and can reduce or even eliminate the misalignment of adult teeth. This improves your child’s smile and oral health. In some cases, they may not even need braces (phase 2 orthodontics) to straighten their teeth.
A bad bite and misaligned teeth can contribute to or cause lots of other problems like disordered breathing, a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay, speech issues, and much more. Proper care from an expert orthodontist will prevent all of these problems and more.
First, your child will need to have an appointment with an experienced orthodontist. Your child’s orthodontist will take detailed x-rays, perform a comprehensive exam, and assess their overall oral health to determine if your child needs phase 1 orthodontics.
Once your child is approved for treatment, their orthodontist will develop a customized treatment plan. This could include special braces, habit appliances to help with things like thumb-sucking or bad swallow, palate expanders, headgear, and a variety of other treatments. Every child is different, so your orthodontist will discuss their plan with you and schedule all of the necessary follow-ups and checkups.
Phase 1 orthodontics typically takes about 12 months, though some patients may have shorter or longer treatment times. During this time, your child will come back to our office for frequent visits with their orthodontist. Their orthodontist will check on their oral health, examine their progress, and make sure everything’s on track. This same process will continue until your child’s treatment is complete.
Full-time for the first few months after braces come off, then nights indefinitely. Teeth drift for life, so nighttime wear is what protects the result you paid for.
Call us right away at (760) 599-KIDS. Teeth start shifting within days, and replacing a retainer quickly is far cheaper than re-treating a relapse.
Brush it with a soft brush and cool water daily, and soak it as directed. Never use hot water or the dishwasher — heat warps the plastic and ruins the fit.
Fixed wires bonded behind the lower front teeth are excellent for patients who won't remember a removable retainer. Removable retainers are easier to clean. Many patients use both.
Yes, and it's a warning sign. Tightness means teeth have already moved. Go back to wearing it every night, and if it won't seat fully, call us before forcing it.
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