La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – If you are a parent of a child in braces, no doubt you want to ensure that your child’s smile stays beautifully straight for years to come. One question some parents find themselves asking is if they can choose the type of retainer the child wears once the braces are removed.
“We understand the concerns of the parents of our adolescent patients,” says Dr. Robert Gire. “You’ve invested a lot in your child’s smile and you want it to last. That’s why retainers are so important and we want to work with you and your child to ensure the retainer you leave our office with is one your child will wear as directed.”
Children everywhere rejoice on the day their braces are removed. But the work isn’t over yet – the retention phase of treatment is just beginning and it continues for a lifetime. We understand that many parents want to ensure that the retention phase is as effective as the tooth movement phase.
Many parents ask about bonded retainers. These seem attractive to parents because they are bonded directly to the teeth, so that the parent doesn’t have to worry about their child forgetting to wear the retainers. Since it is bonded to the back side of the teeth, it’s always there holding the teeth in place. Typically, however, orthodontists reserve this type of retainer for patients whose teeth have undergone very big movements and adjustments. Normally we’ll use this type of retention on the lower front teeth since that is generally the location of any relapse after treatment. Since it takes the mouth a while to get used to the new locations of the teeth, a bonded retainer holds the teeth in place 24 hours a day as the tissues of the mouth adjust.
Bonded retainers are a great solution for patients who are going to need extended or even permanent retainer care, and they can be useful for patients who are on the forgetful side. It is important to wear your retainer exactly as directed by your orthodontist to ensure there is no relapse, so if you are afraid your child won’t comply, talk to your orthodontist about bonded retainers.
Some parents may want to help their children show off their new smiles without a visible retainer. For these patients, a vacuum formed retainer may be a great option. These retainers look similar to a clear aligner, like Invisalign. They fit over the teeth, but are invisible, so kids can show off their new smiles without anyone realizing they are wearing a retainer.
Most people, when thinking of a retainer, think of what is known as a Hawley retainer. This is the acrylic palate piece that has a wire that goes over the teeth to hold them in place. This type of retainer isn’t used much at Gire Orthodontics. We feel that the clear retainers hold the teeth better, there is no gag-inducing acrylic on the palate, and they’re just as strong or stronger than Hawley retainers.
“When it comes to choosing a retainer for your child, there are a few things we need to consider,” says Dr. Gire. “We want to ensure the child will actually wear the retainer. We often find that when the child has a say in treatment options, he or she is more likely to comply. We certainly want to listen to the concerns of the parent, but we also want to ensure the adolescent has a voice in his treatment so that he feels ownership. That will help us work together to ensure the smile lasts forever.”
When it comes to your child’s orthodontic treatment, the parents, child, and orthodontic staff are a team. Working together, the best treatment options will be chosen for your child, resulting in a beautiful and functional smile that will last.