How long should I wear the maintainer? If you want to maintain the ideal alignment, doctors: the first half of the year is key!
In order to be beautiful and confident and have a unique smile curve, many people’s first choice is to correct their teeth. However, after completing the hard work, they cannot do without wearing maintainers if they want to maintain the bite state. Xu Cijuan, an orthodontist at Chengxin Dental Clinic in Kaohsiung, pointed out, After the correction is completed, the teeth and periodontal tissue need time to adapt to the new position, and the maintainer plays an important role. It can help maintain the new position and facilitate the regrowth and stability of the periodontal tissue.
The first half year of wearing the maintainer after correction is the critical “golden period”!
Many people think that after spending time and money, they finally get a set of neatly arranged teeth, and that means the task is completed. They just need to take care of cleaning in the future and they will be fine. In fact, if they want to keep their exclusive “smile curve” straight, doctors will We are reminded that we must wear maintainers. Xu Cijuan mentioned that the most common question many patients ask is “How long do I need to wear braces?” The answer is: “It is recommended to wear braces for at least one to two years.” The role of maintenance is to ensure that the teeth stay in place after adjustment. Still maintaining the ideal position will not be just a “flash in the pan”. Therefore, whether you choose traditional orthodontics or invisible braces, you must wear the maintainer to its full length.
Does the maintainer have to be worn 24 hours a day? Xu Cijuan said that the first half year after correction is the “golden period” for maintaining the ideal alignment, so patients are advised to work harder during this half year to help the teeth and periodontal tissue adapt to the new bite and alignment in the shortest possible time. In addition to eating, Wear the maintainer as much as possible at other times except brushing your teeth. After half a year, you can switch to wearing it while sleeping. She described the relationship between the maintainer and the teeth as myopia and glasses. Glasses are only useful if you wear them, and the same is true for the maintainer. , the wearing time is enough to maintain the alignment.
If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth may start ticking again!
At present, retainers are mainly divided into three categories. Xu Cijuan pointed out that the main materials of traditional retainers are resin and stainless steel wire, while transparent retainers are plastic sheets made of polymer materials. The biggest difference between the two is that although Transparent retainers are better than traditional retainers in terms of appearance, but due to the material, they are more likely to wear out for people with stronger bite forces. Fixed maintainers are multi-strand wires that are adhered to the inside of the teeth by doctors. They cannot be removed by themselves. They have good maintenance effects, but they also make cleaning more difficult and are more likely to accumulate dental calculus. They require regular visits to the doctor for cleaning.
Usually, the doctor will make a suitable maintainer based on the type and disorder of the malocclusion before correction. The doctor can also have detailed discussions with the doctor on various aspects such as aesthetics, occlusion, and durability. It is particularly important to note that when the maintainer has not been worn for a while, and when it is worn again, it is found that it does not fit well with the teeth, or even cannot be worn, Xu Cijuan emphasized that human teeth are moving throughout their lives. If the retainer is not worn for a long time, the teeth will tend to move back to their previously messy position, so the retainer will gradually lose fit with the teeth, and may even become impossible to wear, and the teeth may “clock” again.
“This method” for cleaning the maintainer is clean and effective. Never use “it”
In addition to wearing the maintainer for a long time, the cleaning work must not be sloppy. Xu Cijuan said that because the maintainer is closely attached to the teeth or gums, there are bacteria in the mouth itself. The best way to clean it is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush + clean water. Brush it clean.
Some people are worried about insufficient cleaning power. Xu Cijuan reminds you not to use “toothpaste” for cleaning, because most toothpastes have some abrasive particles, and the abrasive particles will cause scratches on the maintainer, thereby increasing its wear rate. . If you want to strengthen cleaning, you can use the cleaning foaming tablets specially designed for maintainers, and it is recommended to use them in accordance with the instructions of each manufacturer.
“Most full-mouth orthodontic treatments require time, money and even effort. To maintain the results of hard work, you must cooperate with the doctor.” Xu Cijuan believes that properly wearing maintainers becomes a good habit in daily life, and there will be no psychological burden. , it is also recommended to follow the doctor’s instructions and work closely with the dentist during the process to maintain the best correction effect.
Extended reading: Should we break up peacefully with our “wisdom teeth”? Experts reveal three truths about wisdom teeth. It turns out that improper separation can be fatal!
