Why Do Some People Need Dental Retainers?
Dental retainers are an orthodontic apparatus that fits into the upper or lower part of the mouth and may or may not be removable. There are only a select few reasons why certain people may need to wear dental retainers. The primary reason people need dental retainers is as a reinforcement post-braces. In some cases, people with minor orthodontic problems may be fitted for a dental retainer instead of braces. Most often, orthodontic patients who have worn braces for corrective alignment are fitted for dental retainers after their braces are removed. Dental retainers help reinforce the new position of the teeth while the bones and gums adjust to the new alignment. They prevent the shifting of teeth, which can happen as the mouth continues to grow or until the muscles in the mouth and jaw and the gums adapt to the new position of the teeth.
