Retainers in Norwalk, CT
Retention is what keeps orthodontic results in place. Dr. May Kim fits retainers after treatment, and replaces ones that are lost, broken or no longer fitting.
Treatment Led by an Orthodontist
Dr. May Kim, DDS
Orthodontist
Retainers protect the result of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Kim recommends the type of retainer and how long to wear it based on how your teeth were moved, and sees patients whose teeth have shifted after treatment elsewhere.
DDS, New York University, with Honors in Orthodontics. Orthodontic certificate, Montefiore Medical Center. Member, American Association of Orthodontists.
Meet Dr. KimFinishing Treatment Is Not the End of It
Teeth are held in place by bone and soft tissue that need time to settle around their new positions. Without retention, teeth tend to drift back toward where they were, which is known as orthodontic relapse.
This is normal biology rather than a sign that treatment failed, and it is the reason retention is planned as part of treatment rather than as an afterthought.
Removable and Fixed Retainers
Removable Retainers
Taken in and out, usually a clear tray or a wire-and-acrylic design. Easy to clean, but they only work while they are actually in.
Fixed Retainers
A thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, holding them in position without anything to remember. It stays put until Dr. Kim removes it.
Keeping a Retainer Working
Keep It Clean
Rinse and clean a removable retainer as Dr. Kim instructs. Hot water can distort some retainers, so avoid it.
Use the Case
Retainers left wrapped in a napkin get thrown out. The case exists for a reason.
Brush Around a Fixed Wire
A bonded wire needs careful flossing around it. We will show you how at your visit.
Hygiene Visits →Bring It to Checkups
Bring your retainer along so Dr. Kim can check the fit and that nothing has shifted.
Lost, Broken or Tight Retainers
Lost Retainer
Call us. Teeth can start to move within a short time without retention, so a replacement is usually made sooner rather than later.
Contact Us →Broken or Cracked Retainer
Stop wearing a cracked retainer, as it may not fit correctly and can irritate the gums. Call us for a replacement.
Fixed Retainer Came Loose
A detached or broken bonded wire should be looked at promptly, since the teeth behind it are no longer being held.
It Feels Tight Again
Often a sign the teeth have started to shift. Do not force a retainer that no longer seats properly. Call us instead.
If Your Teeth Have Already Moved
Teeth that shifted after braces years ago are common, and the correction needed is sometimes smaller than the original course of treatment. Dr. Kim will look at how much has changed and talk through whether retention alone is enough or whether a short course of Braces or Clear Aligners makes more sense first.
See Adult Orthodontics for more on treating relapse.
Retainers FAQ
Teeth have a tendency to move after treatment. A retainer holds the corrected position while the surrounding bone and gum tissue settle, and helps maintain the result afterwards.
Retention is usually long term, and how much wear is needed changes over time. Dr. Kim gives you a specific schedule for your case and adjusts it at follow-up visits.
Come in and we will look. If the teeth have shifted, Dr. Kim will tell you whether a new retainer is enough or whether correction is needed first.
Yes. Dr. Kim can evaluate how your teeth sit now and make a new retainer, as long as the fit and bite are appropriate.
Neither suits everyone. It depends on the case, the teeth being held and how realistic consistent wear is. Dr. Kim will recommend what fits your situation.
Sometimes, if the shift is small. Larger relapse may need a short course of treatment first, then retention to hold it.
Call us soon, since teeth can begin to shift without it. A lost or broken retainer is usually not an emergency, but it should be replaced promptly. See Orthodontic Emergencies.
Need a Replacement Retainer?
Schedule an orthodontic visit and we will take a look.