What is a retainer?
A dental retainer consists of plastic or metal materials that are created to fit your mouth. The shape and design of the retainer custom-fit your teeth’s alignment.
When your braces are removed or your clear aligner therapy is completed, you’ll need to wear a retainer for 20 to 22 hours per day to hold your teeth in place. Your soft tissue and bone need to stabilize so that they can help keep your teeth in their new positions.
After two months of full-time retainer wear, you may be able to adjust your retainer use so that you only have to wear it at night.
The process for making your retainers
The days of taking messy, gooey impressions and waiting weeks to get your Greenpoint, Brooklyn retainers are over. We use high-tech technology to create custom, high-quality retainers in a few hours. First, we scan your mouth to produce digital impressions. These digital impressions offer a comprehensive look at your mouth so that we can produce a 3D model. We use the 3D model and computer-assisted design (CAD) software to design your retainer. Using a 3D printer, we can make your retainer in-house.
What to expect when using a retainer
It’s normal to feel sore for a few days after you start using a retainer. As you regularly wear your retainer, your mouth will get used to it and it will feel more comfortable. It’s easy to care for your retainers. Clean them daily with a soft-bristled brush and a mild dish soap or product designed for cleaning aligners, retainers, and other oral appliances. Avoid using toothpaste on your retainers because it is too abrasive and can damage them.
How do retainers improve your oral health?
Retainers in Greenpoint, Brooklyn help you maintain a high level of oral health. By keeping your teeth in their new, straight positions, you prevent overlapping and spacing issues that can contribute to damaging tooth decay and excessive wear and tear. Keeping your teeth straight can also reduce your risk of developing jaw problems or bite imbalances. Misaligned teeth can cause periodontal disease that’s associated with other health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. Your retainer keeps your teeth straight and healthy.
What are the benefits of dentures?
Greenpoint, Brooklyn retainers have multiple benefits that make them a terrific addition to your dental care plan:
You can remove your retainer to eat, drink, and care for your teeth
One advantage of a retainer is that you’re allowed to remove the retainer during meals and when it’s time to brush and floss your teeth. You don’t have to change your diet, and you can brush and floss your teeth like normal.
Retainers are comfortable to wear
After the initial adjustment period, most patients find retainers in Greenpoint, Brooklyn more comfortable to wear than braces. We use lightweight, flexible material to ensure that your retainer is as comfortable as possible.
We can make replacement retainers in-house
Unfortunately, you may lose or misplace your retainer. When this happens, our innovative technology lets us replace your Greenpoint, Brooklyn retainer in-house so that there’s minimal disruption to your dental care.
Clear retainers are esthetic
Clear retainers are nearly invisible while you are wearing them, making it easy to wear them throughout the day immediately after you finish your orthodontic therapy. Due to their shape, clear retainers can also be used as whitening or fluoride trays if you want to brighten your smile and further protect your teeth against cavities.
Retainers
After using braces or clear aligners to straighten and shift your teeth, you want to maintain your results and keep your straight teeth looking their best. Retainers are a valuable tool for keeping your teeth in their new positions.
Other related treatments.
Our preventive dental treatments are designed to maintain and improve your overall health.
Our philosophy for dentistry is simple and straightforward. We aim to provide care that is in your best interest. This means we are transparent and non judgemental, kind and empathetic. We have multiple specialists in house as we feel that this is the best way to provide comprehensive care to our patients.
Our office is relaxing and spa-like because let's face it, no one loves going to the dentist. We're trying to change that by providing a soothing environment for oral care.
Dr. Vicky Athanasiou
Founder, General Dentist
Dr. Vicky
