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Dental retains are created from various materials that ensure durability and flexibility. Each material offers distinct advantages to cater to individual orthodontic needs. Common options include:
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastics, such as polycarbonate and polyethylene, increasingly manufacture removable retainers. After heating, the materials are moulded around the shape of the teeth. Thermoplastics are popular due to their flexibility, strength, and ability to resist permanent deformation. Patients also love them since they are clear and almost invisible when worn.
Stainless steel and alloys
Metal retainers are the most durable options and often comprise stainless steel or other alloys. These materials can withstand significant forces without bending or breaking. While stainless-steel retainers are visible and durable, they may pose irritation risks to sensitive mouths.
Plastic and acrylic compounds
Plastic and acrylic retainers are usually constructed for fixed retainers manufactured from composites. Composite materials, which offer a balance of rigidity and tensile strength, often repairable and economically desirable. However, they are less durable and are better suited to short-term retention methods.
Elastomeric materials
Orthodontic elastomers, which offer flexibility and adhesion, are mainly used for passive components. The materials are used to coat or cover parts of the retainer to enhance comfort and secure fit. Unfortunately, after some time, elastomers degrade and lose their properties.
Biocompatible materials
Various teeth retainers are manufactured from materials that are incompatible with human tissues. Materials like spandex, silicone, and thermoplastics are often used to create retainers for patients who might have metal allergies.
The durability of teeth retainers directly impacts the effectiveness of long-term orthodontic treatment. To enhance durability, manufacturers do the following:
Reinforce joints and connections
The parts of fixed retainers, such as joints and connections, are reinforced using soldering or welding techniques. Some manufacturers may use adhesive bonding. Others apply optimized geometries or composite materials to increase the strength of these components. Doing this helps even the most critical areas withstand tensile forces and ensure that retainers can perform for years.
Use corrosion-resistant coatings
Retainers are often exposed to acidic foods and oral bacteria, leading to corrosion. Inhibiting this by applying corrosion-resistant coatings like nickel-chrome layers, stainless steel alloys, and deposited gold increase durability. Certain materials, such as titanium and ceramic, have innate resistance to corrosive elements that may be incorporated into the retainer’s structure.
Optimizing retainer design
Durable retainers ensure that orthodontic forces are well transmitted across the dental arch. Smart designs with evenly distributed tension and compression and increased wire thickness reduce wear and tear. Shape and form are also adjusted to minimize stress concentrations that may compromise durability. Advanced simulations test the designs prior to manufacture.
Regular maintenance guidelines
Users can increase the durability of their retainers through regular maintenance. Maintenance practices for removable retainers made from thermoplastic include washing with mild soap and toothbrushes. Hard retainers require periodic checks for fatigue and wear and may need professional maintenance.
Quality materials
Retainers can be extremely durable when manufacturers use premium materials and compounds with exceptional fatigue resistance. Selects stainless steel alloys, high-strength thermoplastics, and biocompatible silicone may be integrated into a durable retainer’s structure to ensure the extended performance of orthodontic treatment.
Dental retainers are highly individualized to ensure they meet the contours of the patient’s mouth. Concerned professionals consider the following elements important for good design:
Wire gauge
The wire's diameter in a fixed retainer greatly influences durability and discreteness. Thin wires, usually made of stainless steel, allow for finer spaces between teeth. This makes them hard to see. Wider gauges increase strength and can be used in more complex orthodontics to cover larger spans.
Wire bending patterns
Integral in ensuring proper tension and attachment to the teeth, wire bending patterns are precise. Retainer specialists usually analyze the dental arch shape and individual tooth positions before bending the wire. This way they maintain uniform pressure over the appliances.
Attachment mechanisms
Many fixed retainers have secure attachment points, such as bonding agents. These may be integrated to help effortlessly attach the wire to each tooth. Some more advanced designs include mechanical locks or snap-fit structures that reduce the complexity and increase the ease of installation and removal.
Customization options
Dental technology has enabled further personalization of retainers through custom designs manufactured from digital impressions instead of physical moulds. Aesthetic elements such as materials with reduced visibility or embedded gemstones for attractiveness are also available for patients who prioritize aesthetics.
Comfort features
Dental retainer designers include rounded edges, smooth finishes, and adjustments to the wire's profile to reduce discomfort and injury to the tongue and oral soft tissues. Certain designs may incorporate cushions or padding that act as insulators between the retainer and the teeth.
People seeking to buy teeth retainers should know that there are several types on the market, each playing a unique role in orthodontic maintenance. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Removable retainers
Removable retainers, popular for their flexibility and ease of use, are the most common type. These retainers, manufactured from acrylic and wire or thermoplastic, can be easily removed for cleaning, eating, or special occasions. They are mainly used after braces are removed to maintain teeth positions during the initial stabilization phase. Requirements for durable use include good oral hygiene, cleaning of the retainer, and wearing it for the specified duration. Removable retainers are highly customizable and allow periodic adjustments based on individual needs.
Fixed retainers
Unlike removable, fixed or permanent retainers are cemented onto the teeth and offer continuous support without needing active participation from the user. They are often used in the long term or when significant movement would likely occur without support. Materials also used to make fixed retainers include stainless steel or nylon-coated wires, which are most understated and functional. Users do not require any behavioral change with fixed retainers. They only need to focus on their oral hygiene regimen. Fixed retainers are ideal for patients who cannot consistently wear a removable appliance.
vacuum formed retainers
Vacuum-formed retainers are manufactured from clear thermoplastic sheets molded over the contours of the dental arch. Known for their comfort and discretion, these retainers provide a snug fit that is almost invisible when worn, making them ideal for adults and teens. Daily wear of approx 20-22 hours and regular cleaning maintain their durability. Unlike traditional plastic retainers, vacuum-formed retainers are BPA-free and more biocompatible.
Bonded lingual retainers
Bonded or lingual retainers are customized wires bonded to the lingual surfaces of teeth in the anterior section. They are usually made from stainless steel or flexible wire materials, such as nikel-chrome alloys. While not visible, lingual retainainers effectively maintain tooth position. They can be adjusted to fit the unique shape of the dental arch. This makes them an effective long-term retention solution.
A removable retainer can change teeth shifting if the drifting is mild and the individual is consistent in wearing the retainer. However, significant shifting may require professional orthodontic treatment to realign the teeth. A removable retainer is better at preventing further shifting rather than correcting existing issues when no active correction occurs.
If a person doesn't wear their retainer for years, their teeth will likely shift out of alignment. Orthodontic movement is permanent without long-term retention. Those who do not use their retainer remake their retainers, but they may have to undergo additional orthodontic treatment depending on the severity of the shifting.
A removable retainer with regular use can last 5 to 10 years with proper care. Retainers should be washed frequently, kept in protective cases, and kept away from high temperatures to ensure longevity. Retainers requiring regular checks by the orthodontist should also be checked for signs of wear or damage and replaced or adjusted.
