405.604.3745Keeping Your Smile Straight: Your Guide to Bonded Retainers
October 18, 2024
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Orthodontic Arts, a leading orthodontic practice in Oklahoma City, helps patients realize their dreams of having a healthy and beautiful smile. The orthodontists at Orthodontic Arts treat children, teens, and adults with bonded retainers and beyond.
They offer flexible payment options and a free introductory exam. The complimentary consultation can help patients understand the options and what to expect in their treatment plan. The initial exam is the first step toward achieving a beautiful smile.
Bonded Retainers to Prevent Teeth Shifting
While braces are important in helping teeth look healthy, Orthodontic Arts also helps patients understand the importance of taking care of their smiles once the braces come off to prevent teeth shifting.
Oral hygiene and teeth cleaning are only the beginning when maintaining one’s smile. Aftercare once braces come off is essential. Using retainers, one can ensure their teeth remain straight, healthy, and beautiful. Those interested in seeking the advice of an orthodontist in the Oklahoma City area can benefit from understanding retainers and their use more.
What is a Bonded Retainer?
You can use several types of retainers to prevent teeth shifting. While many know removable retainers, bonded retainers are another option to keep teeth from shifting after removing braces.
They are bonded to the back of the teeth and include a small wire that holds them in place. The wire is discreet, and most patients get accustomed to it quickly. They can go on the top or bottom teeth, depending on the needs of the individual. These retainers are sometimes also called permanent retainers or fixed retainers.
Benefits of Permanent Retainers
When wearing a retainer, one must remember to use it and not misplace it when not in use. Children and teens especially can struggle with wearing a removable retainer. Bonded retainers don’t require the same diligence. Patients don’t have to remember to remove the retainer.
Many people who use bonded retainers appreciate the convenience and ease of use. They’re easy to clean during one’s regular oral hygiene routine. A permanent retainer also provides effective retention as the permanent pressure prevents teeth from shifting.
How to Clean Bonded Retainer
There is a small learning curve when cleaning a permanent retainer. Still, the professionals at Orthodontic Arts walk patients through the process and answer questions to help patients feel comfortable with the maintenance of their new retainer.
How to Floss with Bonded Retainer
A floss threader is a valuable tool that can help one clean around the teeth and retainer. These devices are simple to use and important when caring for one’s teeth after placing a retainer on the upper or lower teeth. It’s also important to remember that good brushing and flossing habits promote overall oral health and contribute to keeping one’s smile beautiful when wearing a bonded retainer.
Cost of Permanent Retainers
Cost is understandably an important factor when considering dental work. Permanent retainers can cost several hundred dollars. In some cases, those costs may have already been factored into the total costs for braces. For those concerned about the costs, signing up for a payment plan can help offset the upfront costs for permanent retainers.
Bonded retainer FAQs
You can wear your bonded retainer for 20 years or more. After that point, an orthodontist may recommend a replacement. They can also be replaced anytime a wire comes loose, or there is another issue with the retainer.
If the retainer breaks, feels loose or becomes uncomfortable, the wearer should contact their orthodontist promptly to resolve the issue. Chewing hard foods and not taking proper care of the retainer are the most common causes of damage.
Permanent bonded retainers are discrete and usually not visible to others when one speaks or smiles.
The wire is thin, and the bonds that hold the wire in place are located on the back of the teeth, which makes the device virtually invisible.
Teeth shifting is a common occurrence after braces come off. Due to natural movements of the ligaments and jawbone, teeth can return to their original position without using a retainer. If your teeth are shifting after braces, using a retainer as recommended by one’s orthodontist can help.
Using one’s retainer as recommended by one’s orthodontist is essential in keeping teeth straight and healthy. Along with flossing, brushing, and regular checkups, retainer usage keeps teeth healthy once braces come off.
Teeth shifting is a serious problem when braces are removed, which can happen to the top or bottom teeth. When deciding how best to proceed with life after removing braces, one must consider the pros and cons of having a permanent retainer.
Can You Feel a Bonded Retainer?
While some patients may understandably be concerned about discomfort, the thin metal wire is easy to adjust to and works well to keep teeth in place. The convenience and long-term solution associated with a bonded permanent retainer is a convincing factor for many people.
Anyone with questions about braces or retainers can benefit from seeking orthodontic treatment from the professionals at Orthodontic Arts in Oklahoma City. By scheduling a consultation, one can be on the right track towards gaining a beautiful and healthy smile.
Orthodontic Arts, your number one Orthodontist in OKC. Our Certified Orthodontist provides the latest and greatest Orthodontic practices to our clients in the OKC and Midtown area. Orthodontic Arts is the best place for child and teen orthodontics as well as adult orthodontics. Be sure to ask about Invisalign and invisible braces! Contact us today at (405) 604-3745 or request an appointment.