For braces-wearers, the day their brackets and wires finally come off feels almost like Christmas. Perfectly straight teeth, a bright, gleaming smile, and a much easier time brushing and flossing greet you when you look into that dentist’s mirror. But, how do you keep your teeth straight in the years after you get your braces off? Helena, AL retainers are a common treatment device to help your teeth retain their new positions and can be a helpful tool for people whose teeth only need a little help straightening. You can learn more about custom-crafted retainers and receive a personalized analysis and treatment plan with Backus Orthodontics. Please call our offices to get started.
What Retainers Are And How They Help Your Teeth
Retainers are orthodontic apparatuses crafted from metal and plastic components (or sometimes just plastic or a polymer) made to help hold teeth in their correct position after the removal of an invisible aligner or orthodontic braces. After removing braces, your teeth are more likely to slide back into their original positions, as the gums haven’t firmed back up around the teeth in their new position. Retainers help keep the teeth in place so they can safely settle into the jaw and surrounding soft tissues.
Our Helena retainers are custom-made for each patient, usually after we’ve completed your braces or clear alignment treatment. We examine your teeth on a regular basis to ensure that they’re still in the same, straight position and can adjust the shape of the retainer as necessary or, for our younger patients, as their mouths grow.
We also use retainers for other oral health needs, such as preventing tongue thrust and retrain tongue placement. And, many people find success with this noninvasive treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) or other realignment of the jawbones with the gums. Retainers can also be used for younger children to maintain space for new adult teeth or their wisdom teeth.
Is a retainer right for you? If you’ve undergone tooth realignment with braces or another technique, then a retainer can protect your teeth while they are vulnerable and preserve your healthy smile. Or, if you’re seeking treatment for other types of orthodontic or oral conditions, then a retainer may be a better option than a more invasive procedure, like surgery.
For The Best Retainers, Experience Matters
You may have seen retainers online and considered taking the easy route to straighter teeth. But, a one-size-fits-all orthodontic device isn’t likely to get you very good results. It may be too big, so your teeth won’t be held in place. Or, it may be too tight and cause overcrowding of your just-straightened teeth. We have the experience you need for the perfectly fitting retainer:
- We combine leading-edge technology with traditional methods to fashion a retainer perfectly suited for your mouth
- Our orthodontic team has over 75 years of experience caring for patients like you
- Our family-friendly environment helps children and nervous adults alike feel more at ease
- We’re local! Dr. Backus gives back to the community in many ways, supporting local schools and serving on the board of the Hoover City Schools Foundation
Choose our Helena retainers procedures for a bright smile, straight teeth, and a healthy mouth. Please contact Backus Orthodontics today for an appointment.