The Importance of Retainers: Maintaining Your Smile After Braces or Invisalign

Learn how retainers maintain your smile long after orthodontic treatment

Congratulations! You’ve finally completed your journey with braces or Invisalign, and your smile is now beautifully aligned. It’s an exciting moment, one that marks the end of a transformative process. However, before you embark on this new chapter of life with your straightened teeth, there’s one crucial step you mustn’t overlook: wearing your retainers.

Retainers are often an afterthought, seen as a minor inconvenience after the main treatment. Yet, they help ensure your teeth maintain their new alignment over the long term. In this blog post, we’ll explore why retainers are so important and how they contribute to the lasting success of your orthodontic treatment.

What Is a Retainer?

A retainer is a dental appliance that’s customized to fit your mouth perfectly to keep your teeth in the correct positions. Once your treatment is finished, we will take a scan of your teeth to create your custom retainer. To maintain the smile that you worked so hard to achieve, you should wear your retainer each night. All retainers need to be replaced eventually, usually every 18 months.

Why Do I Need a Retainer?

Undergoing orthodontic treatment is a significant investment, both in terms of time and money. Whether you opted for traditional braces or Invisalign, you’ve dedicated months, or even years, to achieving a straighter smile. Retainers are the key to safeguarding this investment.

Our teeth have a natural tendency to shift back to their original positions. This is due to the constant pressure exerted by the lips, tongue, and facial muscles. Retainers help counteract this force by holding your teeth in their new positions while the surrounding bone and tissue stabilize.

In addition to preserving the alignment of your teeth, retainers also contribute to your overall oral health. When your teeth are properly aligned, it’s easier to practice positive oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing.

What Types of Retainers Are Available?

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we offer two types of retainers. One is made of metal with a colorful bite plate and is worn at night (the Hawley retainer), while the other is glued to the back of your teeth to be worn all the time (the lingual retainer). Both can be part of preserving your smile, but we strongly suggest a nightly retainer for all patients.

What Is the Smile Protection Program?

While your first set of retainers will be included in your treatment, we understand that it can be easy to forget to replace your retainer as often as you should. Our Smile Protection Program makes it easy to protect your teeth for life without breaking the bank. Enroll in this program, and replacement retainers will cost $35 per arch and will be shipped directly to your home. The only thing you’ll need to focus on is enjoying your healthy, perfect smile!

Protect Your Smile with a Retainer

When you undergo orthodontic treatment with us, a retainer is automatically part of the process. So, if you’d like to get your teeth properly aligned and keep them that way, turn to us! We proudly serve patients throughout Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, Schenectady, and Glens Falls. We would be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation and tell you more about how we can help you achieve and keep your best smile. Schedule your first appointment today to get started!


2024 Smile Goals: Your Ultimate Dental Health Checklist

Unveiling your path to a radiant smile

As the leading orthodontist in the Capital Region, we are thrilled to embark on this journey with you toward achieving your 2024 smile goals. Your smile is a powerful expression of confidence, and maintaining optimal dental health goes beyond aesthetics—it’s an investment in your overall well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the essential elements of your ultimate dental health checklist, providing insights, tips, and expert advice to help you attain a radiant, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Let’s make this the year you shine with a confident and healthy grin!

1. Set Your Dental Health Goals

You may have already set your oral health goals last month, but if you haven’t, now is a great time to do it! Whether you want to straighten your smile for general health reasons, to make sure you look perfect for a special event, or for a boost of self-confidence, Adirondack Orthodontics has a treatment to help make it happen.

2. Schedule a Free Consultation

The best way to jumpstart your checklist is to schedule a free consultation with Adirondack Orthodontics. We’ll examine your teeth and mouth, take care of any X-rays, and provide a personalized treatment plan for a straighter, healthier smile.

3. Decide on a Plan 

Committing to a plan is the next step. Weigh the advantages of Invisalign and braces, and decide if Express Treatment is right for you. If you’re straightening your teeth for a specific event, like a wedding or graduation, you may want our Express Treatment. If you want a discreet treatment that allows you to enjoy all your favorite healthy foods, you might opt for Invisalign.

4. Buy the Right Tools 

Even if you’re not undergoing orthodontic treatment this year, the proper tools make all the difference for your teeth and mouth. The average person should be replacing their toothbrush every 3 to 6 months. And don’t forget to keep floss or a water pick handy!

5. Use Your Tools 

Brushing your teeth twice daily, once in the morning and once before bed, is a fundamental practice that lays the foundation for excellent oral hygiene. Additionally, don’t underestimate the importance of daily flossing to clean between teeth and along the gumline, where your toothbrush might miss.

Read this article on our blog with tips for brushing and flossing with braces.

6. Watch What You Eat

Sugary foods can build up on and between your teeth, causing decay and cavities. You need to limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment. If you do eat or drink something sweet, be sure to brush your teeth afterward.

7. Plan Your Checkups

The best way to be sure you attend regular orthodontic appointments to progress through your treatment is to schedule them in advance. We can help you schedule your checkups well into the future so that you can add them to your calendar and get appointments that work for you.

When you’re ready to put your 2024 checklist into motion, contact our team at Adirondack Orthodontics! With convenient locations in Albany, Glens Falls, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and Schenectady, Adirondack Orthodontics is your trusted orthodontic specialist in New York’s Capital Region. We would be happy to help you maintain your dental health and achieve your orthodontic goals.


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