Each of your child’s adjustment sessions at Schouten Orthodontics in Springville, Utah, tightened their braces to stretch the periodontal ligaments that anchor their teeth in the sockets. Gradually, this has brought your child’s teeth into a beautiful, even alignment.
Once this process is fully complete, the braces can be uninstalled from your child’s mouth. However, this is not the conclusion of the realignment process.
There will still be some residual tension in the periodontal ligaments. If that tension isn’t reigned in, it will cause your child’s teeth to drift out of their ideal alignment once again. To prevent this from occurring, your child’s orthodontist, Dr. John R. Schouten, will fit your son or daughter for one of three kinds of retainers.
Hawley retainers are the most common. This custom shaped piece of acrylic fits into the upper portion of the mouth and snaps onto your teeth by the use of a wire. The wire maintains your teeth’s alignment.
If your child’s teeth only needed a minor realignment, they may be fitted with a clear plastic retainer, which will be difficult for others to notice when they are wearing them.
If there was one area of the mouth that needed significant correction, your child may receive a fixed retainer. This is a strong metal band is cemented in place to prevent the teeth from drifting back out of position.
If your child had their teeth corrected at our orthodontic clinic and you have a question about retainers, you can always call 801.491.9372 to speak with a staff member.
