RETAINERS USED POST -ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT.

Dear Readers and viewers..



As you all know ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS UNDERTAKEN TO ALLIGN THE IRREGULAR TEETH TO A PROPER POSITION.

ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS:-

LET’S GET INTO IT...

A)Diagnostic.

B)Treatment.

C)Retention is the final phase which provides the RETAINER TO KEEP THE RESULTS OF THE INTERVENTION TREATMENT INTACT.

Let’s learn about RETAINERS?

Retainers ate fixed or removable made up of wires or plastics to safeguard the finished result of the ACTIVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT in turn keeping the smile perfectly alligned or intact without relapse or the major shift.

Retainers -WHAT ARE THEY and WHY WEAR THEM?

Retainers are given post -orthodontic treatment.

Straightening of the teeth is the half battle won..rest time period with retainers is quite A TASK.

Retainers are worn by many on advice of the ORTHODONTIST SO AS TO PREVENT THE RELAPSE.



Note:

Retainers are a must to be worn in a CORRECT MANNER with as minimal stress as possible.

Let’s know... THE TYPES OF RETAINERS:-

Retainers are plastic or metal made for the upper and the lower teeth.

They are wire retainers(made up of wire and wire -like material) or clear (transparent plastic trays /plastic -like material)

It’s CUSTOM-MADE.

They can be removable or fixed.

REMOVABLE-

ESSIX (Temperory plastic not visible in comparison to traditional wire retainer more confortable to wear and sleep in.

Other advantages include -additional coverage for the entire teeth arch similar to invisalign retainers.

Encourages good oral hygiene.





HAWLEY’s RETAINER:-

Older,traditional style retainers. They are plastic type with wires adapting to the roof of the mouth or along the lower jaw teeth arch to maintain the allignment.

More durable,can be adjusted easily and putting no interference with bite closure

Suitable for patients having DELICATE GAG-REFLEX..



PROS AND CONS OF THE REMOVABLE APPLIANCE:-

Pros:-

Clear retainers are invisible and easy to wear.

Not required to be worn all day but AT NIGHTS.

Complete coverage ensured by the retainers keep teeth in position. 

Easy cleaning and care is possible. 

Good oral hygiene can be maintained. 

Perfect in cases in which patients require crowns and fillings (RESTORATION).

Teeth whitening or bleaching treatment can be done easily by using the retainers as the bleaching trays.

Cons:-

The retainer can be lost easily.

While playing sports.

Patients need to be extra careful or to be removed before playing sports. 

FIXED/PERMANENT RETAINERS:-

COMING ONTO THE FIXED RETAINERS/PERMANENT RETAINERS:-

PERMANENT RETAINERS ARE NOT ACTUALLY or REALLY PERMANENT ,it is bonded or glued to your teeth on the backside(lingual side) where your tongue touches them.

They are CUSTOM-FITTED WIRE

It is called LINGUAL WIRE. That is bonded to the tongue -side of your children’s upper and lower teeth.

Permanent retainer is being wore by many without convinience to SMILE ,HEALTH AND SMILE.





PROS AND CONS OF THE PERMANENT APPLIANCE:-

It has its own PROS AND CONS.

Pros-

NO NEED TO REMOVE and PUT BACK IN.

Can’t get lost.

Easy to clean.

Difficult to damage.

Little maintenance

INVISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE.

Cons:-

Potential to break/fall off and require replacement.

Irritation from the metal object in the mouth.

Sticky or hard foods may get stuck.

Takes time to clean the retainer and floss under wire.

Potential/susceptible to plaque build-up.

LINGUAL WIRES (PERMANENT RETAINERS):-

They can be wire( made up of wire and plastic or plastic retainers(clear retainers) made up of plastic material.

Fixed are:- the thin custom fitted wire bonded to the tongue side of the upper or the lower teeth.

MATERIAL USED FOR RETAINERS:

Acrylic,metal,ceramic,lingual and invisalign.

PHASES OF THE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:-

Let's Elaborate:-

A)Diagnostic: 

in which history regarding detailed DENTAL AND MEDICAL HISTORY is undertaken.

Medications taken by the patients for the chronic diseases or acute .

Radiological investigations taken in terms of X RAYS,OPGs(full mouth x-ray) and MRI OR CT-SCANS IF REQUIRED and Photosbirth-infants ,ttoddlers,child ,adoloscent state-(to br assessed),MODELS/CAST MADE OR PROFILES OF THE PATIENT AT DIFFERENT ANGLES OR VIEWS and Blood investigations if required.

B)Treatment :-

DECISION/DISCRETION OFTHE TREATING ORTHODONTIST:-

ON ABOVE INFORMATION, ORTHODONTIST DECIDES THE COMPREHENSIVE

TREATMENT and makes a unique Treatment plan for attaining the DESIRED RESULTS.

Using ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE like brace of different types varies from patient to patient based on their preference,cost and doctor’s expertise if a particular appliance will suffice to get favorable results.

Now a day ,INVISALIGN IS BEING CONSIDERED.

Not to ignore :TREATMENT CAN BE BASEDBOF SURGICAL INTERVENTION BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF FACIAL PROFILE,BITES TO BE CONSIDERED ETC.

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST IS THE RETENTION:

C)Retention:-

TO VERY MUCH IMBIBE:

BY GIVING RETAINERS TO THE CHILD FOR RETAINING THE DESIRED RESULTS ACHIEVED SO FAR. TIME PERIOD DEPENDS UPON PATIENT to PATIENT AND ALSO ON WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT BEEN GIVEN FOR A MALALLIGNED TEETH AFFECTING THE BITE OR THE MUSCULOSKETETAL WITH BONE MODULATION AFFECTING THE FACIAL PROFILE AESTHETICS causing a disorganized /disfigured state.

Retainers keep/retain/to protect the desired results after intervention INTACT WITHOUT DEVIATION(to prevent the shifting of the out of the allignment).

INDICATIONS FOR THE RETAINERS:-

1)It is indicated in case POST -ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT as it holds the teeth in position after treatment is over as mild to moderate REMODELLING bone changes do occur that can shift the position back to Irregular position.

2)In some cases-retainers are required for single tooth movement or closure of the gap.And to be worn for many years together.

Used in the case of TONGUE -THRUST POSITION.(crib or tongue -cage retainers).

3)These retainers prevent the forward movement of the tongue between the teeth while speaking. It will help or train the tongue to get placed to the roof of the mouth instead of THROUGH YOUR TEETH.

4)Time period to wearing this tongue-cage retainers varies from kid to kid depending upon the severity.

5)It also helps the children with TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS resulting from BRUXISM.It prevents closure of the jaws completely preventing the grinding in turn.GRINDING(BRUXISM ) habit stretches the muscles and joints causing Jaw-ache/tenderness and headaches.

How to make the children accustomed to WEARING OF RETAINERS.

TEETHING ISSUES TO BE ENTERTAINED IN MAKING CHILDREN WEAR:-

Teething problems do arise in making the child realizing the importance of the RETAINERS.

IT IS SURELY A CHALLENGE FOR THE KIDS TO BE RECEPRIVE AND RESILIENT TO ACCEOT SOME FOREIGN BODY THAT WILL COVER THEIR TEETH TO KEEP THE DENTAL PROBLEMS AT BAY AND KEEPING THE ATTAINED ALLIGNED TEETH IN POSITION.

PARENTS PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN TO BE REGULAR WITH WEARING THEIR RETAINERS FOR THEIR DENTOFACIAL AESTHETIC BENEFIT.

WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN INDULGE INTO RETAINERS POST ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:-

1)Many ways to set in interest and be engaged in showing acceptance without much resistance.

2)Firstly customize the retainers with their favorite cartoon character from the book or TV shows keeping up the excitement levels to wear it every night.

3)Patience is the KEY TO MAKE KIDS UNDERSTAND to wearing THE RETAINERS on the regular basis without fail.

4)Rewarding them time to time by appreciating their resilience to accept it as a crucial part of their life.

5)PUTTING SURPRISE GIFTS IN THE RETAINER BOX FOR THE CHILD TO BE HAVING FUN WITHOUT DISTRACTION AND FILLING- UP THE EXCITEMENT to keep up the RELIGIOUS habit.

CHALLENGES FACED BY THE CHILDREN AND ADULTS AFTER WEARING THE RETAINERS:-

Weird feeling after wearing the RETAINERS.

Cuts or bruises happen on the soft tissues but for that mild adjustment is required to be done by the ORTHODONTIST.

INCREASED SALIVARY FLOW(excessive salivation).

Speech articulation:-speech definitely suffers in the initial treatment phase.

So nothing to worry at all..this is all NATURAL.

CARING FOR THE RETAINERS:-

BOTH THE WAYS -CHILDREN AND PARENTS PLAY A DUAL ROLE IN KEEPING THE HYGIENE OF THE RETAINERS UP TO MARK.

Retainers live in the mouth accompanied by bacteria,plaque and residual food particles.

So here PAY ATTENTION-CLEANSING OF THE RETAINERS IS VERY MUCH REQUIRED.

IT CAN BE DONE BY SOAKING THE RETAINERS IN THE MOUTHWASH or DENTURE -CLEANING AGENT TO freshen it up and to kill germs.

CAUTION-IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE SOAKED WHEN NOT IN USE AS IT GETS DRY AND BRITTLE and prone to BREAKAGE/CRACK.

IT CAN WARP ALSO ,SO NOT TO BE PUT IN THE WARM WATER.

And FLIPPING/BENDING THE WIRES CAN OF AFFECTING THE FIT OF THRE RETAINERS.

Last but not the least -DO NOT LOOSE IT.TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN TO KEEP THE SAME AT THE SAME PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE.

Post-Retainer CARE;-

Post -orthodontic instructions to be judiciously used for the protection of the investment made for the AESTHETICS (SMILE) AND FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE CONCERNED DISORDERS DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD.

PREFERANCE OF RETAINERS or recommendation FOR A PATIENT DEPENDS UPON THE DOCTOR’S EXPERTISE BUT HERE PATIENT’S PREFERRANCE DO MATTER A LOT considering the factors personally.

Factors include:-

Effectiveness

Appearance

Durability

Convenience

QUESTIONS ARISE:- 

WILL MY TEETH RELAPSE AND FOR WHAT TIME PERIOD IT IS WORN??

Principle involved is the REMODELLING OF THE BONE HAPPENING helping the teeth to set in.

The remodeled bone is spongy and it takes time HARDEN SO HERE THE ROLE OF THE RETAINERS COME.

Retainers help to secure the newly achieved state of teeth allignment followed by the ACTIVE BRACE MOVEMENT.

So RETENTION WITH RETAINERS DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION TREATED AND FOR WHAT PARTICULAR SPAN NEED TO BE USED.

IT’S ENTIRELY PATIENT SENSITIVE.

So here ON ORTHODONTIST discretion only the TIME -PERIOD OF THE RETAINERS IS DECIDED.

DENTAL VISITS MUST!!

REGULAR CHECK-UPS ARE REQUIRED WITHOUT MISS AND AFTER-CARE WITH RETAINERS MATTER ALO WITH SHEER NEGLIGENCE.

ANY IGNORANCE AND NEGLIGENCE CAN LEAD TO RELAPSE wasting all your TIME AND MONEY .

BE VERY CAUTIOUS!!

So.....dear viewers and readers ,I am ending my blog..HOPE THIS BLOG WILL MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE RETAINERS ARE IMPORTANT POST-ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT. 

DO NOT IGNORE THE RETAINERS IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE RELAPSE.

GOODBYE..

SEE YOU SOON...PRESERVE YOUR SMILES!!