“Can retainers be used instead of braces?”
I am a 34 year old female. I wonder if retainers can be used instead of braces?
8 Answers
Orthodontic retainers are engineered to hold teeth in the same place and are used to stabilise tooth position AFTER orthodontic treatment with braces which are engineered to move the teeth to their final position where they will be held firm by the retainer at the end of the treatment.
Generally no. Retainers are to retain the teeth in position. You might be a candidate for Invisalign, which is an orthodontic treatment with several appliances that look like retainers.
Retainers no but aligners as in Invisalign yes.
NO, cannot the name is retainer that means it keeps the tooth and retain it in the same place. To move the teeth and make it straight or correct your bite, braces needed.
Traditional retainers can move teeth but there is a significant loss of control so they don't take the place of braces very well. Invisible aligner treatment is better if you don't want braces at all. Please don't try the "Do it yourself aligners" you see on TV you will regret it. If your concern is the braces showing, then Clear Braces or Lingual (tongue side) braces are available, but are more expensive. See a Board Certified Orthodontist to see what options you have. Your smile is worth a million dollars, but it does not cost that much to have a beautiful Heathy smile.
Hope this helps.
William E. Harrell, Jr, DMD, C.DSM
Hope this helps.
William E. Harrell, Jr, DMD, C.DSM
Remember what the word "retainer" means (hold in place), however, some minor tooth movements can be made with either clear tray retainers or hard plastic with wire clasps and retainer wire across the front teeth with finger springs in back of the teeth to be moved. This is very limited and not a bite correction. Shortcuts to accurate tooth positioning usually don't work out well. Do the right thing the right way. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what will make that happen.
Well, many companies have been formed around this concept. The biggest name is Invisalign. Invisalign is nothing but a series of retainers that each move your teeth from the current position to the ideal, one step at a time.
Retainers are used to retain or keep teeth in their current position. They will not move teeth
