Treatments
Clear Aligners
Invisible braces, sometimes known as clear aligners, are one of the most popular orthodontic treatments for adult patients.
Retainers
Retainers are used after you have had your teeth straightened to ensure that they remain in their new straight position. It essential that retainers are worn as recommended by your Finaghy Orthodontic Centre dentist in Belfast, in order to ensure you continue to enjoy your new, straighter smile.
There are 2 main types of retainer available:
A bonded retainer is fixed/bonded to your teeth and is not removable. It is fixed to the inside of your teeth so it is completely discrete. As bonded retainers are a permanent fixture, your teeth will stay in their new positions and will not be able to move back to where they were before. Bonded retainers do not require any special looking after, they are very easy to clean. You will simply need to brush your teeth as normal to make sure they stay clean.
Removable retainers can easily be taken out by the patient. The removable retainer functions in the same way as bonded retainers but they are not as discrete.
We recommend that you wear your retainer for 20-22 hours a day, and that you only take it out to eat, drink and brush your teeth.
Your local Belfast dentist will discuss your need for retainers, and advise how long you should wear these each day (for removable retainers). Should you have any other questions, please get in touch on 028 9058 2288.
Finaghy Orthodontics
What is a retainer?
Retainers are fitted at the end of orthodontic treatment after the braces are removed. Retainers are designed to minimise unwanted movement of teeth after orthodontic alignment ie. relapse. Retainers normally need to be worn indefinitely, as long as you want your teeth to remain straight. Retainers can be either removable or fixed onto the teeth and there are different types of retainers. The choice of retainer is affected by a number of different factors and your orthodontist will explain which retainer is best for you. Sometimes you will be recommended to wear more than one type of retainer to reduce the chances of relapse.
Finaghy Orthodontics
What is a vacuum formed retainer?
This is a clear retainer, like a thin gum shield, normally worn full-time initially and then on a part-time basis. Vacuum formed retainers are now widely used in orthodontic practice. You must never eat or drink with this type of retainer in place. Initially it may feel quite tight fitting and a little strange, but most patients adapt very well in time.
Finaghy Orthodontics
What is a bonded or permanent retainer?
This is a short length of wire bonded to the back of your front teeth using an adhesive resin. There are specific clinical situations when this type of retainer is indicated, these retainers are not used routinely in all cases. You must spend extra time cleaning around it and if it ever gets loose, you should seek advice immediately. You should continue to wear your removable retainer(s) as advised by your orthodontist.
Treatments
Invisible braces, sometimes known as clear aligners, are one of the most popular orthodontic treatments for adult patients.
Treatments
The early development of a child’s teeth is important in determining how their teeth will continue to develop into adulthood. Warning Signs can start to show around the ages of 7-8 as they will have already started to have their permanent teeth come through.
Next steps
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