If your child has braces, they will definitely need a retainer after they are removed. That’s because after all their braces adjustment appointments, there will be residual tension lingering in the periodontal ligaments that anchor their teeth. If this is not checked in some way, it might cause a relapse. A retainer can help maintain the alignment of their newly straightened smile.
Hawley retainers are the most common type of retainer. This is a removable mouth piece is customized to fit the shape of your child’s mouth. It has a special interlocking wire that corresponds to specific teeth which lock the appliance into place.
Your son or daughter’s retainer will need to be cleaned and maintained every day. This means rinsing and lightly brushing all of the retainer’s surfaces with nonabrasive toothpaste. When they aren’t wearing it the retainer should be kept in the case provided.
If there was one area of their teeth that needed significant correction, Dr. Michael Jacobsen might install a fixed retainer. This is a strong metal band adjusted to the shape of your lower teeth. It is not removable and will thus require special attention in their oral hygiene routine.
If your child had braces installed at Dr. Michael Jacobsen’s clinic in Victorville, California, and you have a question about retainers, don’t hesitate to call 760-951-7752 to speak to a staff member at Jacobsen & Maleeh Orthodontics.