By Keith R. Dobrin, DMD, MBA
The Importance of Retainers: More Than Just a Dental Appliance
When you think of retainers, it might bring back memories of your younger days, perhaps making you cringe at the thought of losing or misplacing it. But at Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics, we want to make sure you understand how vital retainers are in maintaining that perfect smile you’ve worked so hard to achieve. This isn’t just another public service announcement; it’s a fun yet informative look into why retainers are essential for life.
What Exactly Is a Retainer?
According to Webster’s Dictionary, a retainer is “a device or structure that holds something in place, such as a dental appliance used to hold teeth in the correct position especially after orthodontic treatment.” For those of us who were fortunate enough to undergo orthodontic treatment during our youth, this one word can bring back a flood of memories. Whether it’s the panicked search under the couch cushions or digging through the trash after a family party, retainers have a way of embedding themselves in our lives—literally and figuratively.
Why Retention Matters After Orthodontic Treatment
After completing orthodontic treatment, whether it was with braces, expanders, or Invisalign, your teeth were moved to their ideal positions. But achieving that perfect smile is only half the battle. The other half? Keeping your teeth in place! Teeth naturally want to drift back to their original positions due to various biological reasons. At Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics, we understand that this retention phase is crucial to ensuring your smile stays perfect for life.
How Retainers Work Over Time
Initially, wearing your retainer full-time is critical. Over time, you can gradually decrease the amount of time you wear it until it becomes a nightly or every-other-night routine. This helps your teeth, gums, and bone adapt to their new positions. Just as our bodies change over time, so do our teeth. That’s why it’s important to regularly check in with your orthodontist, just like you would with your pediatrician or family doctor.
Continuous Care for All Ages
For children who have completed expander treatment, it’s important to maintain the results while waiting for more teeth to grow in. For adolescents who finish treatment before starting high school, monitoring the development and eruption of wisdom teeth is essential to prevent complications. Adults, too, need to ensure their teeth don’t revert to their original positions after treatment. And if you’ve stopped wearing your retainer and noticed your teeth shifting, it’s never too late to correct it.
Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics: Your Partner in Retention
At Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics, we follow our patients indefinitely because we know what it takes to maintain those incredible results. The next time you think of the word “retainer,” remember the confidence you felt when you smiled for a candid selfie or your child’s perfect yearbook photo. If you’ve lost, misplaced, or broken your retainer, don’t hesitate to give us a call—we’re here to help you keep your smile beautiful for life!
Contact Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics
Waldwick Office:
Phone: (201) 447-1611
Address: 90 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 07463
Teaneck Office:
Phone: (201) 692-1455
Address: 175 Cedar Lane, Suite 1, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Dr. Keith Dobrin of Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics and XtraOrdinary Smiles Orthodontics is a NATIONALLY BOARD-CERTIFIED orthodontic specialist with a degree in Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. His research on braces adhering to teeth has been published, and he has been selected to test various orthodontic products, including clear aligners from national companies. Schedule your complimentary consultation today!