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The Importance of Replacing Your Retainers After Dental Work
Retainers are a crucial part of maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment. They keep your teeth in their new positions while your gums, bones, and ligaments stabilize after treatment. But what happens if you need dental work after fitting your retainers? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of replacing your retainers after dental work and what you need to know to ensure that your teeth stay in their proper positions.
Why Replace Your Retainers After Dental Work?
Dental work can cause changes to the shape and alignment of your teeth, which can affect the fit of your retainers. For example, if you have a filling or crown placed on one of your teeth, that tooth may be slightly larger than it was before. This can cause your retainers to fit improperly, which can lead to your teeth shifting out of position. By replacing your retainers after dental work, you can ensure that they fit properly and continue to hold your teeth in their new positions.
When Should You Replace Your Retainers?
If you’ve had dental work done after fitting your retainers, you should schedule an appointment with your orthodontist for the evaluation of your retainers. Depending on the extent of your dental work, your orthodontist may recommend that you get new retainers. In general, if you’ve had any fillings or crowns placed on your teeth, you should have your retainers evaluated to ensure that they still fit properly.
What Types of Retainers Are Available?
There are several types of retainers available, including clear plastic retainers, Hawley retainers, and fixed retainers. Clear plastic retainers have a clear, flexible plastic material and fit snugly over your teeth. Hawley retainers are made of wire and acrylic and can be adjusted over time. Fixed retainers are attached to the back of your teeth and cannot be removed. And last but not least, Vivera® retainers.
Here are some of the key benefits of Vivera® retainers:
- Custom-fit: They are made from digital scans of your teeth, ensuring a perfect fit that is comfortable to wear.
- Durability: Strong and durable thermoplastic material makes them resistant to wear and tear.
- Clarity: They are clear and virtually invisible, making them an attractive option for those who want to maintain a natural-looking smile.
- Convenience: They are easy to use and care for. You can remove them for eating and brushing, and they can easily clean with a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild soap.
- Effectiveness: They keep your teeth in their proper position, help to prevent relapse, and maintain the results of orthodontic treatment.
Your orthodontist can help you determine which type of retainer will be effective for you based on your specific needs.
How Do You Take Care of Your Retainers?
Taking care of your retainers is essential to ensure that they remain effective and do not cause oral health issues. You should clean your retainers daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap. You should also avoid eating or drinking anything that could stain or damage your retainers. If you notice any signs of wear or damage, you should contact your orthodontist immediately to have your retainers replaced.
Conclusion
Replacing your retainers after dental work is an essential part of maintaining your beautiful new smile. You can ensure that your teeth remain in their proper positions by having your orthodontist evaluate your retainers and replace them if necessary. If you have any questions about replacing your retainers after dental work or need to have your retainers replaced, don’t hesitate to contact us. With proper care and maintenance, your retainers can help you enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for life.
Invisalign® Vivera Retainers vs. Essix Retainers
Retainers are a crucial part of the orthodontic process. Without them, your teeth will shift back to their previous position. And unfortunately, failure to wear them will render your orthodontic treatment significantly less effective.
When it comes to clear plastic retainers, there are two options to choose from, Invisalign® Vivera retainers and Essix retainers. So which retainer should you choose?
Let’s take a look at Invisalign® Vivera retainers vs. Essix retainers and what makes each one unique.
Invisalign® Vivera Retainers
Invisalign® Vivera retainers are plastic and transparent. This allows them to fit snugly and comfortably over your teeth without being noticeable. In addition, they are strong, durable, and reliable. Many people who have had Invisalign® Vivera retainers for long periods find that they are still in perfect condition.
The main advantage of Invisalign® Vivera retainers is that they are virtually invisible. They also provide a snug and comfortable fit, eliminating the need for regular replacements.
Essix Retainers
Similarly, Essix retainers are clear plastic and fit around the entire arch of your teeth like aligners. Those with Essix retainers find they’re both comfortable and reliable. Because of this, you can wear them for long periods of time.
Since they are relatively affordable, Essix retainers are a popular choice for those wanting a discreet retainer. On average, they cost less than $500. However, since they are thin, you may need to replace them more often than other retainer options.
Pros and Cons of Vivera and Essix Retainers
There are two main types of retainers: Invisalign® Vivera Retainers and Essix Retainers. Both provide a secure fit that prevents your teeth from shifting, but they differ in terms of design, convenience, and cost.
Invisalign® Vivera retainers are typically more expensive than Essix retainers. So if you’re looking for a less expensive option, Essix retainers are the way to go. However, Invisalign® Vivera retainers provide a much better fit when compared to Essix retainers. This makes them the better choice for long-term use. They are also much more durable and can last several years if properly cared for.
However, since Essix retainers are less thick, they make speech easier due to the lack of bulk. Additionally, they are much easier to take off and on as opposed to Invisalign® Vivera retainers. But since they’re thinner, they are more prone to breakage or becoming misshapen.
Both types of retainers offer clear advantages and disadvantages. However, ultimately the choice should be determined by your individual needs and lifestyle.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, choosing between Invisalign® Vivera retainers vs. Essix retainers comes down to preference and budget. However, both types will help keep your teeth in place so that you maintain your beautiful smile.
When it comes to retainers, it’s important to discuss all options with an orthodontist. This will guarantee you come to an informed decision about which option best suits your needs. With proper care, either retainer can provide long-term benefits for maintaining a perfect smile. Just be sure to clean and store your retainer correctly to get the most out of it.
We work with our patients at Dr. Yazji’s office to ensure they get the best possible orthodontic treatment. If you want to learn more about retainers or orthodontic care, feel free to reach out today. or connect with us via Facebook.