From Braces to Retainers: The Next Step Towards a Perfect Smile............!!!!

Orthodontic treatment is a process of moving teeth from one position to another. In doing so, the bone and gum tissue surrounding the teeth have to adapt and adjust to the new tooth position.

The teeth are held into place by many microscopic elastic fibers. These fibers are spread all along the tooth and attach the tooth to the gum tissue, the tooth to the surrounding bone, and the surrounding bone to the gum tissue. They are like tiny rubber bands that hold the tooth in place but allow it to move when pressure is placed on the tooth. If the teeth were not allowed to move, they would crack and break when we bite down on them. These elastic fibers are like the springs and shock absorbers in your car, allowing the car to go over bumps and dips with relative comfort.

After a tooth has been moved through orthodontic treatment, it needs to be held into place. This is where the orthodontic retainer becomes a valuable tool in someone's orthodontic treatment. Since the elastic fibers around the teeth have been stretched, they will tend to pull the tooth back to it's original position unless resistance is applied to that tooth. This is the role of the orthodontic retainer.

Wearing orthodontic retainers will help to maintain the beautiful smile your orthodontist was able to give you. Taking proper care of your retainers will ensure they will last many years to allow you to continue to smile with confidence.

 

For more details, visit: www.affordable-orthodontics.com