Our goal at Fry Orthodontic Specialists is to ensure that our patients enjoy their beautiful smile for life. One way to help your smile stay happy and healthy is your friend the retainer.
Here are three ways retainers help your teeth:
Braces
After your braces are removed, your Fry Orthodontist will fit you with a custom-made retainer. As your body grows, your teeth will naturally shift. Retainers help control the shifting and maintain the new alignment of your post-braces teeth.
Corrective Treatment
Your orthodontist may recommend a retainer as part of corrective treatment. Some conditions that might require a retainer include: closing gaps in the bite, correcting speech problems or tongue thrust.
Teeth Grinding
Retainers can also be used to treat individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This disorder occurs when the teeth don’t properly meet when the mouth is closed, which can cause bruxism, or grinding of the teeth. Grinding expands the muscles and joints in your mouth and jaws. Over time this can cause headaches, jaw pain and damaged teeth. As a solution, retainers can be used to prevent your mouth from closing completely at night, and keep you from grinding your teeth.
To learn more about retainers, visit our FAQs Page or schedule your appointment today at one of our 14 conveniently located offices in the Kansas City metro and Northland area.