Retaining Your Beautiful Smile
By Dr. Aesha Chaudhry
If you had orthodontic treatment, you may already know the importance of orthodontic retainers. They are made of plastic or acrylic and are custom fit to your teeth. They prevent shifting after removal of orthodontic appliances.
Why do you need an orthodontic retainer?
Teeth have little ligaments that stretch and shift during orthodontic treatment. After braces are removed these ligaments have “muscle memory” that slowly move the teeth back to their original position.
By wearing your retainer regularly, you help to maintain the new alignment and attempt to retrain the periodontal ligament.
How frequently should you wear retainers?
After braces or aligner treatment is complete the orthodontist may recommend full time wear. This usually means wearing retainers day and night and removing to eat or drink. The orthodontist may recommend this for 3-6 months and then nighttime wear only. In our office the recommendation is nighttime for lifetime.
What if you wear your retainer, but only whenever you want?
The periodontal ligament is slowly shifting when retainers are not in place. Often making the retainer fit tight and uncomfortable when they are left out too long.
Other factors that can cause small shifts in tooth movement are everyday forces and late teenage growth. Remember, the mouth is active all the time whether we are talking, chewing, or swallowing there are forces constantly at play. The cheeks, tongue and surrounding musculature can all be contributing factors to relapse.
What should you do when you lose or break your retainer?
Consult your orthodontist to get a new set of retainers. You most likely want to protect your financial investment and maintain the beautiful results of your smile. The only thing that will do this is a retainer.
What should you do if your retainer does not fit?
Schedule a consult with the orthodontist for them to evaluate why the retainer is no longer fitting. Do not try to force the retainer over the teeth.
What should you do if your teeth have shifted?
If you are noticing your teeth are shifting and the retainer still fits, you should try to wear it more regularly. If the shifting is more obvious, it is not recommended to force the retainer into place. If too much movement has occurred and you start wearing an ill-fitting retainer, you may negatively affect how your teeth look and how they feel.
If you are not sure or if the shifting is significant, it is best to consult your orthodontist.
How frequently should you replace your retainer?
Although retainers are often recommended for lifetime wear, they do not last forever. New retainers can be fabricated after 1-2 years of wear. They will fit better and look and feel clean.
Why do you need to invest in a new retainer?
Regular maintenance of a retainer is recommended. Habits, diet, and cleaning regime effect the lifespan of a retainer. It is very important to understand that retainers do not last forever and should be evaluated by your orthodontist if there are any concerns.
Whether it’s our weight, skin, hair, or nails, our body is constantly undergoing changes as we age. It is unfair to think that our teeth or smile will never change. They work hard for us all day and night. It’s up to us to maintain them to the best of our ability. For more information call us at 302-412-9646.
Bio
Dr. Aesha Chaudhry was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. She attended Rosemont college where she received a full merit scholarship. She completed her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Upon completion of dental school Dr. Chaudhry has continued to further her education and pursuit for knowledge in the field of dentistry. She completed a general practice residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Her love for children led her to Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY where she trained as a pediatric dentist. She is a board-certified pediatric dentist that spent more than a decade working with children and those with special needs.
Her desire to grow both personally and professionally she completed her orthodontic residency at NYU Langone.
While not working, Dr. Chaudhry enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband and three children love to travel, bike and hike. But above all they love family movie night.
Testimonial
“⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I highly recommend Dr. Chaudhry. Her background in pediatric dentistry and expertise in orthodontics is obvious. My daughters are 9 and 10. Both have very different orthodontic needs and Dr. Chaudhry took her time to listen to my concerns, thoroughly explained her diagnostic impressions and recommendations, and answered all my questions. She is compassionate, genuine, super detailed and obviously committed to the highest standards of care. With the X-rays in hand, I was amazed by her ability to offer so much knowledge in a manner that my daughters were even able to follow along. The office is also beautiful, and her administrator has been equally helpful with scheduling and navigating records request. I’m referring all my friends and family to Dr. Chaudhry.” – Dalissy Washington
Crystal Clear Orthodontics
302-412-9646 www CrystalClearOrthodontics.com
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1805 Foulk Road, Suite C & D , Wilmington, Delaware
