| By :
Mark Etinger
Everyone wants straight teeth and so those who don't have them naturally go to their Medicaid orthodontist to get them with the help of braces or a retainer. After wearing braces for a few years the teeth may look straight but that doesn't mean that they will stay straight. For these purposes, orthodontists use retainers. Retention is the final phase of orthodontic treatment. Yet because the gums and bones around teeth take longer to move, retainers are used to keep the teeth in place while the surrounding bone and tissue follow in taking shape. Some retainers are worn longer than others. The most common are the Hawley and the Vacuforms, which are typically worn full time, and removed when eating. These are worn for usually less than a year. Then they are worn only at night. Fixed retainers are often installed behind the teeth near the gum line. As long as there are no problems with it (beyond flossing) these retainers usually remain until after adolescence (from 18-25). Most of the time fixed retainers are used to retain the position of the incisors. Removable retainers clasp onto the teeth and keep them in place. These retainers are durable and are usually worn for only a couple of years. Clear retainers are especially popular because they are more aesthetically pleasing than wearing a metal bar in front of the incisors. These retainers are good at keeping spaces closed but they need to be more frequently replaced than the Hawley. Cleaning them isn't very difficult. It usually involves buying denture or retainer cleaner and letting them soak. Brushing them also helps loosen debris after or in between meals. If you have a fixed retainer, flossing and brushing are the best ways to keep your teeth and your retainer clean. If you break your retainer, don't wait to get a new one. Doing so can allow your teeth to move so that your new retainer won't fit properly. Recasting a retainer entirely is much more expensive than a simple replacement. It may seem like an inconvenience to wear a retainer, but when all's said and done, it's entirely worth it to have straight beautiful teeth. People will notice it first thing, and you will have more confidence as a result. And once you get your retainer off, don't get lazy. It takes maintenance -flossing and brushing twice a day - to keep your smile bright and straight.
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