About Orthodontics

When braces are removed, the “retention” phase begins. The objective of this phase is to ensure the teeth do not regress back to their previous positions. A retainer will be used to maintain the improved position of the teeth.  A retainer is a fixed or removable dental appliance which has been custom-made by the orthodontist to fit the teeth.

Retainers are worn for varying amounts of time, depending on the type of orthodontic treatment and the age of the patient. Perseverance and commitment are required to make this final stage of treatment successful. If the retainer is not worn as directed, the progress made during treatment may be lost and retreatment may become necessary.

There are a variety of retainers available. Your orthodontist will make a retainer recommendation depending on the nature of the original diagnosis and the orthodontic treatment plan.


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