Completed treatment, removal of braces and retention

After the end of the treatment with braces comes the passive, maintenance phase of the treatment, called retention. Whether your braces are fixed, ceramic or invisible, it is essential to prevent so-called relapse, i.e. the re-curvature of the teeth. The teeth are not firmly attached to the bone and work all their lives. Therefore, in order to keep them straight and not crooked even with age, their position must be maintained.

To keep your smile as beautiful as possible, there are usually two options: retention splints and retention wires.

Retention splints are clear removable splints made of stronger material to fix the teeth in the desired position. The wearing regime is as per the doctor's instructions, and it is usually recommended to wear them as often as possible in the beginning and later only at night.

A retainer is a thin wire that is most commonly bonded to the back surfaces of the front teeth. It is left this way for at least a few years, and many clients have it forever. A fixed retainer is usually combined with a retainer splint.

Retention wire and why we don't use it

The wire can come loose, snap or come off when used, which is very impractical to the point of being annoying. Particularly if it comes loose, for example, on holiday or at Christmas when care may not be available as standard. In fact, it is always necessary to visit an orthodontist for its repair.

Have you heard the term Twist-effect or X-effect?

In some cases, the wire can even cause a relapse, i.e. a crooked tooth. Complications can arise that can pose not only an aesthetic but also a health risk to clients, requiring correction of the position of the teeth with repeated orthodontic treatment. The occurrence of these complications is not frequent, but they can cause unpleasant problems.

One form is the outward misalignment of one of the front teeth (canine). This deflection of the canine is always accompanied by an opposite inward deflection of the other canine and a twisting of the entire anterior tooth segment around the horizontal axis. This type of complication is called the Twist-effect.

Another source of unexpected problems can be insufficiently loose wire on the retainer when adjusting it to the tooth surface. If the wire is too tight, it can cause complications. The most common cause is mechanical damage to the wire from chewing or careless handling, or simply leaching of the adhesive.

Retention splints and why we use them 

At Braces World, we use retention splints.
With our experience of over 20,000 clients, we are confident that we offer the best options.

Retention splints are made of stronger plastic to help stabilize the teeth in their ideal position. Their biggest advantages include: 

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Comfort: Plastic splints are usually comfortable and one gets used to them easily. They are lightweight and fit well.

Better hygiene: retention splints are easy to remove, so they do not complicate brushing. Unlike a fixed retainer, which makes oral hygiene more difficult. 

No acute conditions: the great advantage is that retention splints do not cause acute problems that require a doctor's visit. If they get damaged, lost, or your dog eats them, you will use another pair, which we recommend keeping at home as a backup.

Always at hand: retention splints can be made in several pieces, so that the client can easily use them if necessary and does not have to go to the clinic to change them.

Tailor-made: modern technology allows plastic splints to be made to everyone's exact specifications, ensuring better adhesion and efficiency.

Easy to maintain: plastic retention splints are easy to clean and do not require complicated maintenance. They can simply be cleaned with a brush or use a solution or tablet to keep them fresh.

Hypoallergenic properties: for clients with metal allergies, plastic splints are the ideal choice as they are hypoallergenic.

Fast production: thanks to modern technologies such as 3D printers and CAD/CAM systems, plastic retention splints can be produced quickly.

Aesthetics: plastic splints, especially those made of transparent materials, are less visible.

How's it going in Braces World? 

We use retention splints to maintain optimal results. 

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Retention splints 

Retention splints are maintenance splints that the client wears after treatment to prevent the teeth from shifting to their original position or naturally crowding the teeth over the course of a lifetime. Retention splints are a kind of guarantee of maintaining the result of the treatment, but in order for everything to work, it is essential to follow the wearing regime:

• The first month as much as possible
• 2nd to 3rd month afternoon and night
• Later, just for the night
• Gradually reduce the interval, for example once a week, later once every two weeks,...

If you feel pressure from the splint after releasing the mode, increase the interval again, if not, you can just decrease it even further. It is all very individual and everyone will suit a slightly different regime. However, the goal is always the same - a beautiful and stable result.

Retention controls

Checks need to be made after braces are removed to monitor whether the teeth are holding in the desired position.

• The first two check-ups are 3 months after the braces come off
• The third check is after 6 months
• Fourth check after one year

However, if you experience any problems, contact your orthodontist immediately.

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Contact us. You can get a free consultation and braces on installments.

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