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Dental Retainers: Indications, Types And Care

Jul 13, 2023
Dental Retainers: Indications, Types And Care

Same day, the dentist near me is the phrase people always use to search via Google. However, make sure not to just type this general phrase. Use specific phrases like “same day dentist near me for dental retainers” in order to get the dental experts or specialists who have expertise in fixing dental retainers. Not everyone is successful in fixing dental retainers.

What Is A Dental Retainer?

A dental retainer is an orthodontic device used to keep the teeth in place after you have removed your dental braces. They can be removable or fixed. After your braces are removed by the dentist, it takes about a year for the ligaments around your teeth to get hard so that the new position of your teeth can remain fixed. If you don’t use a retainer, then the teeth can go back to their original position which is medically known as ‘orthodontic relapse’.


By searching in Google using “same day dentist near me for dental retainers,” you will come across renowned walk-in dentists near your area or locality who fix dental retainers with a high success rate.

Indications Of Retainers

  • After Braces: After removal of your braces, its absolutely necessary that you should get your retainer because there are very high chances of orthodontic relapse especially in children because they have growing teeth and jaws but they are recommended for every person irrespective of age.
  • For Minor Malocclusion: Dental retainers can also be used to correct some minor malocclusions for which you don’t require prior fixation of dental braces.
  • Tongue Thrust: A condition where your tongue comes out in between your upper and lower teeth while speaking. Special retainers known as tongue  cage retainers are beneficial as it prevents the tongue from going forward when you speak.
  • Bruxism: It comes under temporomandibular disorders. Bruxism means grinding of teeth at night because teeth are not able to meet properly when the mouth is closed.

Special retainers help these people by preventing the contact of teeth, thus grinding is avoided.

Types Of Retainers

There are several types of retainers and your orthodontist will advise you on the most suitable retainer according to your need.

  • Fixed Retainers: They are glued to the back of your teeth and you can not take them off. They are rarely used because they have lots of disadvantages.
  • Removable Retainers: These are of further two types
  • Hawley Retainers: Made up of flexible wire and a plastic mould that perfectly fits in your mouth. They last much longer, easier to clean. The main disadvantage is that they are easily noticed.
  • Essix Retainers: They are made up of clear transparent plastic like that of invisible braces. They are barely noticeable. Difficulty in cleaning, costlier are some of its disadvantage

Side Effects Or Problems With Retainers

There are only short term problems as:

  • Slurred Speech: The removable retainer of the upper jaw causes some speech defects but people become accustomed to it in 2-3 days and begin to speak properly. Fixed retainers don’t affect speech
  • Saliva Secretion: People in the initial days experience a lot of saliva.
  • Mouth Sores: It only happens for the first few days.

Time Period

By assessing your condition your orthodontist will tell you the time period for which you have to wear your retainers. Some retainers have to be used for full time in the first 6 months and after that only at night.

Caring Of Retainers

They can get easily damaged if you don’t take care of them properly. To enhance the life of your retainers you must

  • Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: brushing twice a day, but don’t brush your Essix retainers as removable retainers are meant to be removed before eating and brushing.
  • Soaking In Water: You can soak your Hawley retainers but don’t soak your Essix retainers
  • Avoid eating hard foods like nuts or any other things which can damage your retainers.

You should see your dentist if you are experiencing any problem with your dental retainers. As mentioned already, just perform the google search using the phrase, same day dentist near me for dental retainers.


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