Hooray! You are done with braces and now you get to enjoy your pretty new smile. To keep your teeth looking their best, though, you need to decide what type of retainer to wear. The most important step in this process is consulting with an orthodontist. The team at Wonder West Orthodontics can help evaluate your teeth to decide if a removable or permanent option is right for you.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers are the retainers we think of as “typical.” Made of metal or clear plastic, you wear these to keep teeth in place but can remove them for eating, playing an instrument, and other activities. You may even be instructed to just wear your retainers at night. This type of retainer is easy to clean and easy to wear. The downsides are a replacement cost if you lose your retainer, and possible teeth shifting if you don’t wear them properly.
Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers, on the other hand, are in your mouth forever. The orthodontist will bond a wire to the back of your teeth to keep them in place after your braces are removed. This type of retainer is great because you don’t have to remember to wear it and it’s invisible to others. The downside to permanent retainers is they are a little harder to clean. They require similar care to braces in that you must be careful of what you eat and must continue to use your special cleaning tools. Permanent retainers are also not completely “permanent” as the bonding agent does break down over time, so be prepared to have your wire replaced every decade or two.
Do you have more questions about what type of retainer is right for you? Come visit Wonder West Orthodontics in London, Ontario. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you figure out how you can keep your smile perfect for years to come. No need for a referral, just make an appointment!