retainer

The office of Dr. Barry Glaser understands that after a treatment has been completed, it is very important for his patients to wear the retainer in Westchestery County NY in order to maintain the beautiful smile that your orthodontist has helped to create. However, as we all know, it is easy to neglect your retainer. Many people forget to put it in or misplace it. The very unlucky retainers become a pets next meal. However, there are many reasons why retainers shouldn’t be ignored or forgotten about.

Wear Your Retainer in Westchester County NY!

Everyone needs some kind of retainer after they finish their braces or Invisalign treatment. Your teeth have memory, and for most people, their teeth want to move back in the direction they came from. The amount of movement varies from person to person. Some people are lucky and their teeth don’t move very much. Others see a more significant amount of movement.

Ask yourself this question: Can you name one part of your body that hasn’t changed over the last 30 or 40 years? Our bodies change as we age, and that includes your teeth. They are not set in stone. You can generate a lot of force when you bite down. These forces are transmitted to the teeth and they can move the teeth around. This is especially true for people that grind their teeth in their sleep.

Many people are forced to get their teeth straightened for a second time because they stopped wearing their retainers and their lower teeth crowded up. Some people choose to use a bonded retainer on the inside of the lower front 6 teeth after treatment is finished. It is invisible to others and it becomes virtually invisible to a patient after a day or two. Bite forces have a tendency to make the lower canine teeth collapse inward toward the tongue over time. As the canine teeth drop back, the lower front teeth (incisors) tend to crowd up. With the lower bonded retainer in place this can’t happen. Of course, if someone doesn’t want this type of retainer, a removable retainer is another and just as effective option.

Types of Retainers

Most patients are given a removable upper retainer. This is either a traditional retainer that has the wire that goes across the front teeth, or a clear plastic retainer that is form fitted to the teeth. Both types of retainers have their advantages. The nice aspect of a traditional retainer is that the orthodontist can move teeth with it (it is also possible with the clear retainer, but on a much more limited basis). If a tooth moves, I can put a bend in the wire and move it back. The clear retainer has it’s obvious advantages as well. It’s clear! People can’t really see it, and patient compliance is usually higher with this type of retainer.

People often ask, “How long do I have to wear my retainer?”. The answer is up to you. How long do you want your teeth to stay straight? It is a long term proposition. This, however, doesn’t mean you have to wear it all the time forever. Most people start off with full time wear, taking it out to eat, brush, and for sports. As soon as possible, the number of hours a day that it has to be worn gets cut back. Most patients are wearing it just at night within about six months. Eventually, patients are just putting it in a night or two a week to keep things straight.

Dr. Glaser wants his Westchester NY patients to know that earing a retainer is vital to maintain the beautiful set of chompers that you have spent so much time and money to obtain. So…keep up wearing your retainer!

Dr. Barry Glaser and the team at Glaser Orthodontics are the experts in Invisalign. If you have any questions pertaining to braces, clear braces, Invisalign, or Invisalign Teen near Peekskill NY, Cortlandt Manor, NY, Cold Spring, NY, Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Westchester, NY, or surrounding areas, or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Barry Glaser, contact Glaser Orthodontics at: 914-739-6400.

Braces have been around for a long, long time, and like anything that is age-old, they come with many rumored myths and facts. In fact, we’ve probably all heard them, and believed them, without even realizing! But how are patients near Somers supposed to know what is true versus what is false? How can patients know what to expect if there is so much confusion? Well, Glaser Orthodontics is here to help by giving you these braces true/false answers:

1. True or False: Braces work best just for kids?

– False. Many people associate braces with adolescence, but the truth is that Glaser Orthodontics treats patients of all ages. Adult braces near Somers are rising in popularity, and have become a great way to gain more confidence in your smile at any time. Braces work just as well on adults, and Glaser Orthodontics is proud to offer a variety of treatment options to our adult patients. For example, many adults prefer Invisalign treatments, as they are invisible, removable, comfortable, and convenient.

2. True or False: Braces can be very painful?

– False. Dr. Glaser wants to assure our patients near Somers that braces will not be a painful experience. While yes, it is true that immediately after the braces go on or are adjusted you will feel some discomfort or minor pain, it is not true that this pain will continue throughout the entire length of treatment. Braces take some getting used to, but will not cause long lasting or severe pain, and should be an overall enjoyable experience. If you are experiencing any painful poking, prodding, pressure, or pulling, contact Dr. Glaser immediately.

3. True or False: Orthodontic treatment doesn’t stop once the braces come off?

– True. For patients near Somers, retention is just as important as orthodontic treatment. Once the braces come off, you will be left with a beautiful smile. But keeping that beautiful smile does require some care, in the form of a retainer. It is crucial to follow Dr. Glaser’s instructions when it comes to your retainer near Somers.

4. True or False: There are many alternatives to traditional metal braces available.

– True. Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional metal braces. Their removable nature, clear plastic material, and custom shape are cosmetically pleasing and effective, and make Invisalign near Somers a highly desired option. However, while Invisalign can treat a range of cases, they are not the only option for patients of Glaser Orthodontics. For some individuals, options such as clear braces may be better. Clear braces are designed to be discreet while still offering many of the benefits of traditional braces such as their ability to treat all complexities. If you are a patient near Somers interested in any of these alternatives, Dr. Glaser will be happy to discuss them with you and figure out what is right for you.

So, True or False: Glaser Orthodontics near Somers can help patients of all ages get a beautiful, straight smile, through a number of different treatment options?

True of course! We hope that these true/false questions have helped to clear up your confusions of myth versus fact, and have made you want to begin your orthodontic care. If you want to learn more, or just want to get started with your orthodontic treatment, Contact Us at 914-739-6400 today! Dr. Glaser and the team are excited to hear from you.

Caring for your smile does not stop once the braces come off. In fact, that is just beginning. Retention is a key component of oral care, and Glaser Orthodontics near Garrison understands that many people do not realize the true importance of wearing your retainer after their braces are done. Here are a few things we want our patients to keep in mind.

Always follow Glaser Orthodontics instructions. Retainers generally should be worn over night, every night. However, in some cases they may need to be worn more. It is important to follow exactly what Glaser Orthodontics recommends, as these instructions are specifically designed to keep your teeth looking their best.

If you notice your teeth beginning to move contact us immediately. Losing all the progress you made is never fun, and if you let it get too out of hand you may have to go through treatment all over again. This can be costly, time consuming and of course inconvenient. This can be avoided by calling Dr. Glaser when the problem first begins.

While a bit uncomfortable, a little bit of pain is to be expected when wearing a retainer. This occurs because your mouth is adjusting to changes in the pressure and alignment of the teeth. Do not worry if you feel a little bit of discomfort at first, or, after having missed a few days of wear, but if the pain becomes too severe call Dr. Glaser.

Ensure that you are keep track of your retainer and care for it properly. Because of its removable nature, it may be easy to misplace your appliance. When removing your retainer always put it in a safe place such as your plastic case. Also, do not forget to be hygienic. Brush your retainer to keep it as clean as possible so that your teeth will be as beautiful as possible.

Visit Glaser Orthodontics near Garrison to learn more about retention, or give us a call.