At Carvalho & Roth Orthodontics, our mission is to help patients throughout Marlborough, Northborough, and Newton Centre achieve beautiful smiles through orthodontic treatment. But what many patients don’t realize is that orthodontic treatment doesn’t stop with braces or Invisalign: it also encompasses retention therapy, which comes after the active phase of treatment. Retention therapy is part of how we safeguard your smile to last a lifetime, which means that no matter what treatment method you choose, it’s crucially important that you wear your retainer.
What Does a Retainer Do?
Retention therapy starts after the active phase of orthodontic treatment, which means your teeth will already be in their new positions. In effect, your new smile is ‘finished’ – so why do you have to wear a retainer? The answer lies in your mouth’s anatomy.
Underneath the gums, the teeth don’t sit directly in the jawbone. Instead, they’re supported by the periodontal ligament, a piece of connective tissue made of tiny fibers that attach the tooth to the jawbone. After finishing with braces or Invisalign, your teeth may have shifted position, yes. But the individual fibers of the periodontal ligament still haven’t adjusted to this new position. Left to their own devices, these fibers will pull the teeth back to their old positions, erasing your new smile!
This is why wearing a retainer is so important. Your retainer holds your teeth in their new positions long enough for the periodontal ligament, as well as the other tissues supporting teeth, to adjust to those positions, preventing regression and protecting your new smile. Only by wearing your retainer exactly as directed can you prevent tooth regression and ensure your smile lasts you a lifetime.
Contact Your Marlboro Orthodontist
Retention is a vital part of any orthodontic treatment course, and if you still have questions about retention or any other phase of treatment, we’d be happy to answer them. Reach out to us at our contact page for answers to any questions about orthodontics or to schedule a checkup or consultation at one of our offices. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you achieve a gorgeous new smile and protect it for a lifetime!