Importance of Remembering to Wear Your Retainer

When it’s finally time for your orthodontist to remove your braces, you can take a big breath of relief and joy. At Harner Orthodontics, we want to remind you that although your braces are removed, that does not mean that your orthodontic journey is complete. The retention stage, which begins as soon as your primary treatment phase ends, is key to the success of the entire orthodontic process. For a minimum of 24 months, your teeth will not be rigidly set, and you will be responsible for consistently wearing your retainers. Retainers are designed to keep your teeth in place and prevent them from shifting. This is applicable for all our patients wearing braces, Invisalign or adult braces in the Seal Beach area. Our orthodontic team in Huntington Beach will ensure your teeth stay straight and aligned for a beautiful, bright smile!

Why Do I Need A Retainer?

Retainers are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. Once phase one is complete (your braces or Invisalign treatment is over), we want your teeth to stay aligned in the correct position. This is where a retainer comes in. Retainers keep your newly straightened teeth in the correct position. If you do not consistently wear your retainer, your teeth will shift back to their original positions and will require further orthodontic treatment to realign them. We want to avoid this and keep your teeth straight from the moment the braces come off. Retainers are used for all patients, both teens and adults, and are necessary after both traditional braces and Invisalign.

Reasons To Wear Your Retainer

The Harner Orthodontics team, serving the Seal Beach area, wants you to wear your retainers for these important reasons:

Stabilizing Your Bite: When your braces are removed, the soft tissues in your mouth and bones still need time to adapt to their new position. By continually and consistently wearing a retainer, your tissues and bones will stabilize and any shifting that occurs will be minimal.

Wisdom Teeth: For most patients, they will receive braces during their preteen and teen years, meaning right around the time that wisdom teeth show up. By wearing your retainer, you will ensure that the eruption of wisdom teeth with not move your straight teeth out of their new position.

Bones & Gums Are Aligned: Retainers not only straighten your teeth and keep them in the desired position, but they also align your bones and gums with your teeth. Your retainer will work to strengthen and stabilize your teeth along with your bones and gums.

Prevent More Orthodontic Treatment: By wearing your retainer every day and night, you will prevent your teeth from shifting, ultimately preventing more orthodontic treatment. This is necessary for all of our patients, including Invisalign patients.

Questions About Retention? Call Harner Orthodontics Today!

If you have any questions about the retention process or your individual retainer, please call or stop by our office in Huntington Beach. You’ve put in so much work and time with your braces, we want you to do the same with the retention process! Your smile will be beautifully straight and your teeth will stay in the correct position because of your retainers. For retention questions or broken retainers in the Seal Beach area, call our office today! We look forward to hearing from you!