Braces are one of the desired orthodontic appliances, and they are excellent for promoting the correct positioning of the teeth. Once you have completed treatment using braces, lasting about 20 months, you may also need to use retainers Anaheim. Since your teeth are in forced positions, they require additional support from retainers to protect them against misaligning again.
Your orthodontist can advise you to choose a fixed (permanent) or removable dental retainer. As the latter’s name suggests, a removable retainer can be removed regularly without the orthodontist’s help. Generally, removing the removable retainer from your mouth is advisable before you start brushing or eating.
If you are using permanent retainers (fixed retainers), they have to be removed by your dentist after your teeth have been properly aligned. Below are reasons you might require your orthodontist to remove a permanent retainer from your mouth.
1. Impaired permanent retainer
All dental appliances, including a permanent retainer, are prone to damage. Your permanent retainer can get impaired because the material used to bond it to the teeth’s backside gradually becomes thinner. That happens because the teeth bonding material gets slowly eroded by the actions of your teeth, especially during chewing.
Your permanent retainer can also fracture because it gets hit by something causing a large impact, such as a hockey stick or ball. Repeated biting of hard objects while wearing a permanent retainer can also lead to its fracture.
2. Significant accumulation of dental calculus
One of the disadvantages of permanent retainers is that they can encourage the gradual accumulation of plaque and tartar. That can mainly happen if you do not observe healthy dental hygiene.
With time, plaque and tartar become hardened and calcified, forming dental calculus on the components of a retainer.
The calcified bacterial plaque usually coats underneath and above your gum line. Without the removal of the rough and porous material, it can cause gum disease and receding gums. Furthermore, dental calculus can stain your teeth and make you susceptible to cavities.
Your orthodontist will detach the fixed retainer to extract the accumulated dental calculus. After cleaning your teeth and gums by removing dental calculus, you must adhere to healthy oral hygiene. For instance, your teeth and gums will need brushing regularly.
3. Completion of oral treatment
Your orthodontist will decide the duration of using a permanent dental retainer. Once you have used a permanent retainer for the required duration, like 12 years, your dentist will require its removal. Your orthodontist will pull out your permanent retainer once it is guaranteed your teeth are at less risk of getting misaligned.
Sometimes your orthodontist can recommend the replacement of your fixed dental retainer with one that can be removed frequently. You may be required to wear the removable retainer as you sleep at nighttime.
4. Oral pain and discomfort
The fixed oral retainer might not prevent your teeth from shifting their positions. Consequently, that can trigger pain and discomfort in your mouth. In such as case, your orthodontist can recommend other orthodontic appliances.
Contact AppleTree Dental today to book an appointment with an orthodontist providing dental retainer services.
