Broken Retainer

After your braces are removed, you will require some sort of retainer. This might be bonded, removable, or a combination. But what should you do if you break your retainer? You’ll need to reach out to Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics right away! It must be replaced immediately. Your retainer keeps your teeth in their new position, maintaining all your progress. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong as soon as possible. Contact her office in Orland Park, IL.

 

You might not notice right away when a bonded retainer is damaged. It’s one of the reasons you need checkups with your Orland Park orthodontist. No matter how careful you are, wear and tear put your retainer at risk. There are also hard foods and sports injuries too.

 

Do not try fixing your retainer by yourself. It needs to be repaired by an orthodontic professional only. You may cause more damage to the retainer, or even injure yourself. There are a few things that you can do while you wait. First, buy an over-the-counter nightguard. This works as a makeshift retainer for your teeth. It helps prevent your teeth from moving too majorly while you sleep. Make sure to avoid any harder foods too. These will damage your retainer even more.

 

Pay attention to any irritated or injured areas. Treating these early stops them from worsening. Try gargling with salt water to soothe these spots. You might also want to invest in an antibacterial mouth rinse too.

 

Straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment is a lifelong investment. Your retainer is what keeps it all together after! Contact Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics right away when your retainer is damaged. She is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, visit her website or call 708-444-8341.

When Should I Replace My Retainer?

After you get your braces removed, Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics will give you a removable retainer. But like anything that is used daily, like shoes or your toothbrush, your retainer will eventually need to be replaced. If your retainer isn’t in the best of shape, schedule an appointment.

 

When you need to replace your retainer is entirely dependent upon you. Patients may need an annual replacement, every 2-3 years, or even longer. If it is damaged, it won’t really fit your mouth or teeth. That means that wearing it is doing more harm than good.

 

There are a few signs that your retainer needs a tuneup. If it starts to fall apart at the joints, changes color, fits oddly, or experiences a calcium buildup, schedule an appointment. It’s best to address the problem before it worsens.

 

To protect your retainer from harm, make sure to keep it in its case. This helps it from being misplaced or damaged. Retainers are necessary for preventing your teeth from shifting. Your teeth need time to set into their new positions. Without your retainer, your teeth will quickly revert to their old positions. Make sure to wear your retainer every day for the first six months after getting your braces off. Then transition to wearing it at night a few times a week.

 

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.