Your braces are finally off and your teeth look straight and beautiful. You find yourself smiling fully, even when no one is around. And then you remember that one teeth device you are supposed to wear every day – your teeth retainers.
Once your braces are removed, you will enter the retention phase of your orthodontic treatment. How long your teeth retainer lasts will depend on how well you care for your teeth retainer. It will also depend on whether you wear a removable retainer or a fixed retainer based on your specific situation and needs.
Fixed teeth retainers are tiny wires glued to the back of your front teeth usually the lowers that can last for years. Because fixed teeth retainers can be hard to keep clean, your orthodontist recommends them only for patients with a history of good oral hygiene habits. With proper care, these retainers can last up to 10-20 years before they require replacement.
How Long Do Your Removable Teeth Retainers Last?
Removable retainers generally come in two forms – clear retainer made of clear plastic that goes over your teeth and it lasts for about a year, or the Hawley retainer is made of hard acrylic that fits the palate and a wire that fits across the front of your teeth that will keep your teeth from moving. There are also small wires called “clasps” that hold the retainer in place.
Hawley retainers are popular because they not only retains the teeth in their current position but also lasts up to five years. Dropping, squeezing, or bending your retainer can decrease its lifespan, and losing a removable teeth retainer will obviously necessitate its replacement. It is important to keep a close eye out for chips, cracks, problems with the retainer’s fit, or other structural issues that may prevent the retainer from doing its job.
Caring Tips for Your Teeth Retainer
When caring for a removable retainer, one benefit is that they provide less of an impediment to your normal brushing and flossing routines.
Store your teeth retainer properly whenever your retainer is not in your mouth. It can be tempting to wrap your teeth retainer in a napkin while dining out, for instance, but this is the only way to lose it.
Avoid squeezing your teeth retainer or playing with it, such as sliding it on and off your teeth repetitively, in order to maintain its actual shape.
Clean your removable teeth retainer each day. To get the longest life out of your Hawley Retainer simply brush it with the toothpaste and water after each use. Do not use hot water because the acrylic can warp. You do not want to wear your teeth retainer when you are eating because the acrylic is breakable.
Order retainers for teeth online from the comfort of your own home. You will get the same high-quality products that are made by laboratories that dentist use, for close to half the cost.
Choose Retainers for Teeth Online
When it comes to teeth retainers, choosing the best fit is very important. Order custom-made hawley retainers online with us. Take your teeth impressions and receive your custom teeth device at your home. Contact us today to know more about our custom hawley retainers.
