Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2011
Tags
- celebrity smiles (68)
- gap (1)
- orthodontics (6)
- tmj (1)
- oral health (24)
- tmd (1)
- sleep apnea (4)
- gum disease (8)
- braces (7)
- dental implants (13)
- orthodontic treatment (8)
- cone beam scans (1)
- crown (1)
- dental injuries (3)
- thumb sucking (3)
- pediatric dentistry (13)
- chipped tooth (4)
- cosmetic dentistry (14)
- teeth whitening (5)
- oral hygiene (10)
- tooth decay (3)
- nutrition (2)
- eating disorder (1)
- snoring (3)
- mouthguards (2)
- bad breath (2)
- root canal (2)
- periodontal disease (2)
- bridge (1)
- tooth wear (2)
- dental injury (7)
- dental hygiene (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- dentures (3)
- smile makeover (3)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- sports dentistry (1)
- dental emergencies (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- bonding (1)
- gluten (1)
- dental anxiety (2)
- crowns (4)
- baby teeth (1)
- clear aligners (2)
- x-rays (1)
- jaw pain (4)
- teeth wear (1)
- retainers (2)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- chipped teeth (1)
- teeth grinding (4)
- veneers (1)
- partial denture (2)
- anchorage devices (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- impacted teeth (1)
- headgear (1)
- saliva (1)
- teething (2)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- age one dental visit (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- bruxism (1)
- night guard (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- dental care (2)
- retainer (2)
- oral surgery (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- gum surgery (1)
- medicine (1)
- bonded retainer (1)
- extraction (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- root resorption (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- facial pain (1)
- smoking (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- dental implant (1)
Categories:
New Location:
2330 Patrick Henry Pkwy.
Suite 300
​McDonough, GA 30253
It’s a big moment after months of wearing braces to finally get a glimpse of your new smile. The crooked teeth and poor bite are gone — and in their place are beautiful, straight teeth!
If you’re not careful, though, your new look might not last. That’s because the natural mechanism we used to straighten your teeth may try to return them to their previous poor positions.
Contrary to what many people think, teeth aren’t rigidly set within the jaw bone. Instead, an elastic, fibrous tissue known as the periodontal ligament lies between the teeth and the bone and attaches to both with tiny fibers. Though quite secure, the attachment allows the teeth to move in very minute increments in response to growth or other changes in the mouth.
Orthodontic appliances like braces or clear aligners put pressure on the teeth in the direction we wish them to move. The bone dissolves on the side of the teeth where pressure is being applied or facing the direction of movement and then builds up on the other side where tension is occurring.
The ligament, though, has a kind of “muscle memory” for the teeth’s original position. Unless it’s prevented, this “memory” will pull the teeth back to where they used to be. All the time and effort involved with wearing braces will be lost.
That’s why it’s important for you to wear an appliance called a retainer after your braces have been removed. As the name implies, the appliance “retains” the teeth in their new position until it’s more permanently set. For most people, this means wearing it for twenty-four hours in the beginning, then later only a few hours a day or while you sleep.
The majority of younger patients eventually won’t need to wear a retainer once bone and facial growth has solidified their teeth’s new position. Older adults, though, may need to wear one from now on. Even so, it’s a relatively slight inconvenience to protect that beautiful, hard-won smile.
If you would like more information on retainers, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers.”