Your Child Will Need to Use a Retainer After Their Braces Have Corrected the Alignment of Their Teet
Each of your child’s adjustment sessions at Dr. Catherine Scheurer McDevitt orthodontic clinic tightened the braces hardware to stretch the periodontal ligaments that anchor their teeth in the sockets. Over time this has brought your child’s teeth into their correct alignment.
Once this has been accomplished their braces can be uninstalled from your child’s mouth. However, this is not the end of the realignment process.
There will still be some residual tension remaining in the periodontal ligaments. If it isn’t countered, it could cause their teeth to drift out of their ideal alignment.
To prevent this from happening, Dr. Catherine Scheurer McDevitt will fit your son or daughter for one of three types of retainers.
Hawley retainers are the most common. This is a custom shaped piece of acrylic that fits into the upper portion of the mouth. It is secured by a set of wires that lock onto specific teeth. When worn, it holds the upper teeth in their intended orientation.
A clear plastic retainer might be called for if their braces only provided a minor realignment. This type of retainer is challenging for the casual observer to notice.
If there was one area that needed significant correction, Dr. Catherine Scheurer McDevitt might recommend installing a fixed retainer behind the teeth. This is a strong metal band that is cemented in place to prevent the teeth from drifting out of position.
If your child had their teeth corrected at Dr. Catherine Scheurer McDevitt orthodontic clinic in Worthington, OH, and you have a question about retainers, you can always call 614-888-8070 to speak to a staff member at A Winning Smile Orthodontics.