Retainer (orthodontic device)
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Image:RetainerBottom.JPG Orthodontic retainers are used after braces have been removed to hold teeth in their new position while surrounding gums and bone adjusts to this new position. Often a person will need to wear them only at night. The length of time one must wear a retainer varies, but an average teenager will usually be advised to wear it into their early 20s.
The most common type is the Hawley retainer, which is made of a metal wire that surrounds the teeth and keeps them in place. It is anchored in a specially molded, often brightly colored acrylic form that sits in the palate of the mouth. Top and bottom retainers are made as necessary.
Another type is the Essix retainer, a clear or transparent retainer that fits over entire teeth can also be produced from a mold. It is similar to Invisalign trays. Essix retainers do not allow the top and bottom teeth to touch because plastic covers the chewing surfaces of the teeth. It is important for the top and bottom chewing surfaces to meet to allow for favorable settling to occur. Essix retainers are less expensive to fabricate and therefore are becoming popular among some orthodontists. They are also used for the esthetics of not having visible orthodontic appliances.
Most retainers come with a retainer case to protect them. During the first few days of retainer use, many people will have extra saliva in their mouth. This is natural and is due to the increased surface area of the inside the mouth and extra stimulation of the saliva glands. It may be difficult to speak for a while after getting a retainer, but this speech difficulty should go away over time as one gets used to wearing it.