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A retainer is an orthodontic appliance that is designed to hold the teeth in a specific position. It can be a 'fixed' retainer, which means it is glued in place and is not removed, or it an be a removable retainer that can be removed to clean or eat.
Retainers are necessary following orthodontic treatment because bone has a 'memory'; that is, it wants to return to its former position, and in doing so, it will undo all the work to straighten the teeth. By wearing the retainer (sometimes for several years) you make the bone 'forget' its former position, and eventually the teeth will remain in their new position without the retainer.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt keeps your teeth aligned after you get braces. Without it,your teeth would slowly move back to the way they were before braces.
You can also use a retainer to apply whitening gel at home, which you get from your dentist.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoretainers are used to keep your teeth in place. SO they won't separate again s they were before you had the braces
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How will a retainer work?
See, What will a retainer do.
What do you need to know about getting a retainer?
* It does not hurt to get a retainer * Before you get it, they have to make impressions of your mouth which is not painful at all * You need to brush your retainer at night * The retainer covers your top teeth put has a wire in front of your incisors(top teeth) * You get to choose the design/color of your retainer
What is a retainer used for?
A retainer is used for straiting your teeth if its messed up.
If you neglected to wear your retainer for a while and now your teeth are out of alignment with your retainer then if you wear your retainer nightly then will your teeth be forced back into shape?
You'd probably break the retainer, another pair would be best.
What is an annual retainer fee?
An annual retainer fee is the cost for a commitment to have services available if they become needed. The annual retainer fee typically refers to legal services. Charges for work done is in addition to the retainer.
What are the Three types of retainers?
Loop retainer Hard cast Fixed retainer
If you are a current client do you have to pay your attorney a retainer for new work?
If your current retainer does not have suffiecient credit remaining, the attorney may ask for an additional retainer
How do you get your parents to get you a retainer even if you dont need one?
You can't, any qualified dentist will not fit you with a retainer if a retainer is not needed. If they did so they could be sued.
What happens if you have a cavity filled and have a retainer will the retainer still fit properly?
Yes, the retainer will still fit properly. The filling fills a hole on the inside of the tooth, and the retainer covers the outside of the teeth so the cavity is not affected.
If you have a retainer in a piercing can it get infected?
If you don't clean it and if you're using an acrylic retainer, yes. To prevent infection clean it as you normally would and use a glass retainer.
If your teeth move slightly will the retainer move them back?
No. The retainer is used to keep the teeth in place, not move them. The retainer will probably just not fit as well now.
Does using hydrogen peroxide as mouthwash effect the glue on your retainer?
No. Your retainer should not have glue.
