Are you planning on getting braces? Are you uncertain where to even start when it comes to getting braces or straightening your teeth? Understanding how braces work can help you to navigate each step of the process through your orthodontic journey. Our experts at Bailey Orthodontics are dedicated to providing superior orthodontic services to meet all of your needs. Here are a few things that are important to understand about how braces work.

Types of Braces

There are several types of braces. Our team can help you to identify the ideal type of braces to meet the specific needs of your own situation. Most types of braces work in a similar manner. They place pressure on the teeth to ensure they can be guided into the appropriate position.

Pressure

Braces work by leveraging pressure. The brackets, bands, and wires of the braces are designed to place gentle amounts of pressure on the teeth. This pressure is designed to ensure that teeth can be guided into place without being damaged. It is important to work with a professional for this to ensure that the pressure placed on your teeth won’t cause damage.

Time

Orthodontic treatment takes time. The total amount of time will depend on your specific situation and chosen method of orthodontic treatment. It is important to ensure that the appropriate time is given to allow your braces to work. Time is essential in safely moving the teeth without causing damage to your smile.

Additional Tools

There are several other tools that may be implemented based on your specific situation. Rubber bands, for example, can be used to place additional pressure on the teeth when necessary. Temporary anchorage devices, palatal expanders, and other tools may be used to ensure that your teeth will be guided into the best position.

Retaining your Smile

Once your braces have completed their task, they will be removed by your orthodontist. At this point, your orthodontist will create a retainer for your teeth. They may choose to use a temporary or permanent retainer depending on your specific needs. It is essential to use the retainer as instructed in order to keep your teeth in their new position. While you may need to wear the retainer more often at the beginning, you will often be able to reduce the amount of time that wearing a retainer is necessary as your teeth become adjusted to their new position.

Ultimately, braces work by using a combination of time and pressure to guide the teeth into their perfect location. After you have your braces removed, it is essential to continue to use a retainer to keep your teeth straight and beautiful. To learn more about how braces work or the orthodontic services that we have available, contact our experts at Bailey Orthodontics today!

Your retainer is an important part of protecting your teeth and ensuring that your orthodontic treatment remains effective. However, because you will be expected to wear your retainer over the long-term, the retainer will eventually need to be replaced. This may mean that the retainer will break at an unexpected moment, which can leave your teeth vulnerable. Here are a few tips for what to do if your retainer breaks.

Wear your Retainer Consistently

It is important to ensure that you wear your retainer consistently. The more time you spend wearing your retainer, the better protected your teeth will be. Though this doesn’t mean that you can go a prolonged period without wearing a retainer, it can still give you a little bit of wiggle room if your retainer breaks.

Clean it Regularly

Preventing damage to your retainer often involves ensuring that you care for it appropriately. This means that you need to clean the retainer on a regular basis. You should clean your retainer at least once a day, either in the evening or at night, and disinfect it once a week. By taking these steps, you will be able to keep your retainer clean. It will also help you to find the presence of damage when it occurs.

Store the Retainer Correctly

Retainers can be susceptible to damage, especially damage by force. It is important to ensure that you store your retainer correctly in order to prevent accidents from causing damage to the retainer. You should never leave your retainer laying out in the open. Not only are they tempting for pets, but they can break somewhat easily if they are dropped or crushed. Store your retainer in a hard case whenever you aren’t wearing it.

Contact Our Office Immediately

The best thing to do when your retainer breaks is to have a replacement made immediately. As soon as you have noted damage to your retainer, you will want to ensure that you contact our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. This will enable us to construct a new retainer to help ensure that your orthodontic treatment remains as effective as possible.

Permanent Retainer Damage

The next step will depend primarily on the type of retainer that you have. When you have a permanent retainer, you will want a family member to examine it for you, since you will be unable to do so yourself. They will be able to identify the extent of the damage. You may need your orthodontist to remove the retainer in order to prevent it from causing damage to the inside of the mouth.

Removable Retainers

If you have a removable retainer, you will want to inspect the extent of the damage. If there is only a small crack, you may be able to continue using your removable retainer in the meantime, until you are able to procure a replacement. However, if the cracks are severe or the retainer is broken in half, you will no longer be able to continue using it. In these situations, the best thing to do is get your replacement made as soon as possible.

A retainer breaking can cause a great deal of anxiety. After all, it is likely that you spent a great deal of time with your orthodontic treatment. Your retainer is an important strategy for protecting your teeth and ensuring that you retain the benefits of your treatment. If your retainer has broken recently, it will be important to obtain a replacement as quickly as possible. Our experienced team at Bailey Orthodontics can help you to do that. For more information about how to handle a broken retainer while still protecting your teeth, contact us at Bailey Orthodontics today!

After you have had orthodontic treatment, the last thing that you want is for your teeth to revert to their previous state. This would ultimately mean a great deal of money and effort wasted. Wearing your retainer is an important component of keeping your teeth in good condition. It is important to understand how long your retainer will need to be worn in order to provide this protection for your teeth. Always follow the instructions of your orthodontist in order to ensure that your smile stays in the best possible condition.

Important to be Proactive

It is important to take a proactive approach to your orthodontic maintenance after you have finished your treatment. In general, it is easier to wear a retainer on a regular basis than it is to go through the orthodontic process again. Proactivity can be extremely beneficial in maintaining a beautiful, pristine smile.

Teeth are Always Moving

Unfortunately, the teeth are always moving. Though this movement is slight, it is still there. This is a process that is referred to as mesial drift. In many cases, your teeth seem to have a “memory” of their previous location and will tend to shift back to that state. Due to this, it is likely that you will have to wear a retainer indefinitely to protect your teeth. The amount of time in which you have to wear your retainer, however, will depend primarily on the stage in which you are at following your orthodontic treatment.

The First 3 to 6 Months

During the first 3 to 6 months after the completion of your orthodontic treatment, your teeth will be most vulnerable to quickly shifting back to their original location. Due to this, it will be extremely important to ensure that you wear a retainer for as long as possible over time. In most situations, you will need to wear your retainer for 22 hours a day following the removal of your braces. The retainer should really only be removed to enable you to eat and care for your teeth.

The First Two Years

After the first 6 months following your orthodontic treatment, the gum tissue tends to solidify more firmly, which will reduce the speed in which the teeth will shift. From this time to the two years following your treatment, you will need to wear your retainer nightly.

Three Years Plus

More than three years after your orthodontic treatment, you will still be required to wear your retainer as often as possible. Occasionally missing a night here and there won’t result in disaster, but it is still important to wear it regularly. Many people start to wear their retainer every other night at this point.

Follow Orthodontic Instructions

Though these are generalities regarding wearing a retainer, they are not set recommendations. Everyone’s smile is different and the amount of time in which you will have to wear your retainer will depend on many factors. It is important to listen to your orthodontist, who is aware of each of these various factors. Follow your orthodontic instructions to ensure that you are able to provide the right protection for your smile.

Types of Retainers

It is important to note that there are multiple types of retainers that may also impact this. With removable retainers, it will be important to keep in mind how much time you spend wearing them. Permanent retainers, however, are adhered to the surface of the teeth. Though this will ensure you are always wearing them for the appropriate amount of time, it may make it more difficult to appropriately care for your teeth. Your orthodontist will be able to guide you through the right kind of retainer to meet your needs.

Wearing a retainer will help to keep your teeth straight and pristine after you have completed your orthodontic treatment. Though this may require nightly wear, it is a far better alternative to having your orthodontic work reversed due to neglect. For more information about the importance of wearing a retainer, as well as the amount of time in which you should be wearing your retainer, contact our experienced team at Bailey Orthodontics today!