Teeth Retainer

The retainer wire is attached to the back of the teeth with a filling material by making small bends specifically for the individual. It may disturb the patient a little for the first few days, but after that it becomes unnoticeable by the patient.

Since retainer wires are glued to the back surfaces of the teeth, they are not visible from the outside. Therefore, they do not have any aesthetic disadvantages. They can remain in the mouth without being changed for many years. They do not cause any harm to the patient.

Since the back surfaces of the teeth are areas prone to tartar formation, people with retainer braces can have their teeth cleaned every 6 months. Retainer wires do not create an obstacle for dental scaling. It is sufficient for the physician who will perform the cleaning to be careful not to damage the wire.

Especially the first year after orthodontic treatment is risky in terms of teeth regressing. Because the teeth are not yet stable in their new positions. The reorganization of the bone and gum tissue surrounding the teeth is incomplete. Therefore, retainer wires are of great importance in maintaining the position of the teeth and in the reorganization process.

The passive process in which occasional checks are made after orthodontic treatment is called reinforcement therapy. In this process, it is at least as important as the active orthodontic treatment process. Because we provide orthodontic treatments to our patients so that they can smile with straight teeth for a lifetime. For this, the teeth must remain straight until the day the treatment ends. The way to achieve this is through the protection and use of retainer wires and/or Essix plates by patients. The more attentive the patient is during and after the treatment process, the higher the success of the treatment.

Retainer Wire Usage Time

Since retainer wires do not cause any harm to the person, there is no harm in using them for life. Considering the effort put in and the good result obtained, I think it is not necessary to remove the thin piece of wire that does not harm the person and cannot be felt. However, it is worth mentioning this since it is asked a lot. Although it varies depending on the opinions of the treating physician, studies mostly recommend the use of retainer wires for at least 3 years.

In openbite cases where there is a gap between the incisor front teeth and the teeth do not close for this reason, and in polydiastema cases where there are gaps between the teeth before orthodontic treatment, retainer wires and additional reinforcement devices must be used for lifelong retention.

You can only obtain clearer information about the details of your reinforcement treatment from the orthodontist who performs your treatment. Because, as the person who follows the process from beginning to end, he is the person who has the most knowledge of your oral dynamics and treatment.

My Retainer Wire is Broken, What Should I Do?

In cases where the retainer wire applied after your orthodontic treatment breaks or the adhesive comes off, the retainer wire can be renewed. It would be beneficial to have it repaired or renewed without wasting time.

Before making a new retainer wire, any remaining parts of your old wire are removed and the remaining adhesives are thoroughly cleaned. If there are dental stones in the area, they also need to be cleaned. Then, a new wire can be adapted to the teeth with bends and bonded in the same session.