During your child’s braces treatment, routine adjustments were essential for correcting the alignment of your child’s teeth. Each of these alignment sessions applied modest tension to your child’s teeth and periodontal connective tissues to gradually alter the orientation and position of their teeth.
After your child’s treatment is complete and their braces have been removed, a retainer is often necessary to help prevent relapse caused by latent tension in the periodontal sockets. If this tension is not countered by regularly wearing a retainer, the latent tension in the periodontal ligaments could cause your child’s teeth to move out of their ideal position.
Here at Liang Orthodontics, Dr. Donald Liang and Dr. Christopher Liang often provide a removable Hawley retainer to help prevent relapse problems after a braces treatment. A Hawley retainer is a removable dental appliance created from a special acrylic material. It also includes strong wires that will lock the retainer into place when inserted into the mouth.
Your child’s retainer will need daily care, and your child will need to practice good oral hygiene habits to help keep their retainer clean and free of damage. If any part of your child’s retainer becomes bent, damaged, or altered in some way, it could increase the amount of time they need to use the retainer.
Your son or daughter will need to remove their retainer before eating; this will prevent food particles from getting trapped under the retainer while also keeping it safe from damage. When your child does not wear their retainer, they should store it in the case provided.
If necessary, your child can refresh their Hawley retainer by soaking it for a few minutes in an equal mixture of water and antiseptic mouthwash. They can then lightly brush away any plaque buildup with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
If your child had the alignment of their teeth corrected by Liang Orthodontics’s orthodontist in Potomac, Maryland, and if you have a question about retainers, you can always call 301-983-3132 and talk with our friendly team.