19 July
Celebrated annually to honour the value of retainers in orthodontic treatment, International Retainer Day is Wearing a retainer—a custom-made appliance—after orthodontic treatment helps to preserve teeth alignment and stop them from moving back to their natural state.
The long-term outcome of orthodontic treatment depends much on reteners. Once braces or clear aligners have been taken out, teeth can shift for a variety of reasons including tongue thrust, gum recession, or normal ageing. Reteners let patients to enjoy a straight and healthy smile for years to come by helping teeth to remain in their proper alignment.
Among the several kinds of retainers available nowadays are fixed, detachable, and clear retainers. Whereas detachable retainers can be taken out for cleaning and maintenance, fixed retainers are fastened to the rear of teeth.
Made of transparent acrylic, clear retainers hardly go unnoticed.
Maintaining the outcomes of orthodontic treatment depends on wearing a retainer as advised by an orthodontist. For the first several months following therapy, reteners should be used full-time; thereafter, they should be progressively worn evenings. Retener fit and effectiveness must be monitored by regular visits with an orthodontist.
Patients should be reminded by International Retainer Day of the need of treating their retainers seriously and following recommendations. For orthodontists, this presents also a chance to inform patients on the value of retainers and their contribution to a good, beautiful smile.
In essence, International Retainer Day emphasises the use of retainers in preserving orthodontic treatment outcomes. Patients who follow correct care guidelines and use a retainer as advised will have a straight and healthy smile for many years to come.