what is the difference between braces and retainers

Wearing braces or retainers helps realign the teeth, improving your smile and preventing serious dental problems from developing. The difference between retainers and braces The main difference is that braces, with the exception of Invisalign

, are glued to the teeth and should not be removed during the treatment period.

Full Answer

What is the difference between retainers and braces?

Braces normally have to be used for between one year and three years. Retainers Retainers are normally used after your braces have been taken out and they are normally worn for around six months. Retainers are designed to help make sure that your teeth stay straight after your braces have been taken out. Types of retainers normally include fixed wire retainers and removable retainers.

Can I get retainer instead of braces?

Yes, in some cases, you can use retainers instead of braces. Retainers tend to be suitable substitutes for braces when the orthodontic issue that needs treatment is minor. For example, in those cases where a single tooth is misaligned or where there is a gap between two teeth, a retainer can be the right choice.

Can I wear retainers instead of braces?

Traditionally, retainers are used after braces to retain your teeth and keep your bite and jaw in their proper position. However, in some limited cases, a retainer can be worn in place of braces. Retainers are often worn by patients who have: Wearing a retainer requires commitment and dedication.

Does it hurt more to have braces or a retainer?

Retainers are custom devices designed to hold your teeth in place. They’re often prescribed after orthodontic treatment, such as braces, to keep your bite in place after it’s been reshaped or corrected. Wearing a retainer can be irritating, but it’s a mild inconvenience compared to having to go through having braces all over again.

Which is better braces or retainers?

If there is a slight gap between two teeth, or a tooth is misaligned, a retainer can be an effective solution. The treatment may take longer than it would with braces, but the advantage is that retainers are much less obtrusive, and since they can be removed maintaining good oral hygiene is not a problem.

Can a retainer be used instead of braces?

If your teeth are only slightly crooked or crowded, your dentist may recommend a fixed retainer instead of a full set of braces. In some cases, you may even be able to use a removable retainer as part of treatment for very slightly crowded teeth.

What comes first braces or retainer?

Retainers are important in the field of orthodontics as both prevention and maintenance devices. Many orthodontists turn to retainers to help patients before braces are even considered as part of their treatment plan.

How much do retainers cost?

Typically, retainers can cost anywhere from $250 to $600 per set without insurance. The final cost will largely depend on whether you choose a permanent or removable retainer, the specific circumstances of your treatment, and which orthodontic practice provides your treatment.

How long wear retainers after braces?

Some people need to wear a retainer all day, every day for 4 months, while others will be instructed to wear theirs for 12 months. Almost all orthodontists instruct that you use some form of retainer each night, indefinitely, after your braces have been removed.

What age is best for braces?

However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, this is before they've gone through puberty. If they've already gone through it, this means it'll be harder to adjust their jaw and/or teeth, as they've already settled into their post-puberty positions.

What is the age limit for braces?

There is no age limit for getting braces. While childhood is a good time to make changes to your mouth and jaw, more adults than ever are undergoing orthodontic treatment to correct orthodontic issues such as crooked or missing teeth and create a beautiful smile.

Do I have to wear a retainer forever?

Your retainers will help prevent this from happening as you age. To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won't be necessary to wear them as often.

How can I push my teeth back without braces?

How can I push my teeth back without braces?Retainers are a suitable teeth-correcting solution for people with minimal misalignments. ... Dental veneers are another viable method of pushing back teeth. ... Another orthodontic appliance that acts as a substitute for braces is headgear.More items...

How can I straighten my teeth without braces at home?

Invisible Aligners Invisible aligners are the most popular at-home alternative to braces these days. With these, you can straighten your teeth at home at a significantly cheaper price than traditional metal braces and treatment only lasts an average of six months.

Can I just buy a retainer?

It is possible to order custom retainers online. “I'd say people choose this because it's cheaper since you're not going to a licensed professional to get your stuff,” Garrison-Jeter says. There are several teeth straightening companies that sell direct-to-consumer dental retainers on their websites.

Why do braces work on all teeth?

As they work on all the teeth at the same time, braces are appropriate for treating conditions such as overcrowding in the mouth, overlapping or crooked teeth, and malocclusion , which means one jaw is bigger than the other, causing over- or under-bite.

Why do people wear braces?

Wearing braces or retainers helps realign the teeth, improving your smile and preventing serious dental problems from developing.

Can braces and retainers be used interchangeably?

As you can see, braces and retainers are not the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably to treat all conditions. If you are still not sure which is the right option for you, make an appointment with us today and our expert orthodontists will assess your needs and explain your treatment options so you can make an informed choice.

Can Retainers Straighten Teeth Without Braces?

Usually, once teeth have been straightened out by a period of wearing braces, retainers will be used to hold the teeth in their new position while they settle and the gums strengthen. After a short period of constant wear, the patient will only have to use the retainers for a certain number of hours every day and can remove them at night and while eating.

Why do you wear a retainer after braces?

A retainer is worn after the treatment of the braces is complete, to help the teeth stay in their new positions. A treatment for braces does not come cheap but given the level of intervention required, your insurance provider’s policies and even the state you live in can help bring down its costs.

What is a Retainer?

Once you have gone through the braces treatment for correctly aligning your teeth, a retainer is used, as the name suggests, to help retain the new shape of your teeth. Retainers vs braces, hold in place the periodontal ligaments, which hold the teeth in place, helping them mould into the new shape. Retainers are usually worn only at night to help the teeth stay in place. Retainers themselves are of two different types.

What are ceramic braces?

Ceramic braces are like traditional braces but are made of a ceramic material, which is less visible, as it is tooth colored. Even the wires and bands used are of a similar color, which makes them popular with adults who need orthodontic corrections. They are as strong as the traditional braces but as ceramic is more porous, it is at a higher risk of getting stained. So if you drink a lot of coffee or colas, these braces will get stained quickly. Ceramic braces are also recommended only to those patients who do not have severe misalignment.

What are braces made of?

The most commonly used braces are the traditional ones which have individual brackets that are put on each tooth and are held together with wires and rubber bands. The brackets come in a variety of colors and designs and are more preferred by children. The brackets are made from high-grade stainless steel and put in place using a special cement. Patients with severe misalignment will be advised to use these braces.

How do braces work?

Braces work by applying continuous pressure on the teeth to push them in one direction. The gradual move helps change the shape of the bone.

What is permanent retainer?

A permanent retainer is one which is not removable and is fixed inside the mouth with the same cement which binds the brackets of braces on the teeth. They are usually not visible to others as they are placed behind the teeth and they are also less prone to damage that way. They are also comfortable when it comes to eating and talking. However, they can make oral hygiene tricky as they are more likely to trap food particles in them.

What is the most discreet brace?

The most discreet form of braces are the Damon braces which are a self-ligating system. In regular braces, the wire is attached to the brackets with the help of elastic bands but Damon braces have brackets which have a small gate-like opening which lets a wire get threaded through it. These produce the fastest results as they move teeth on their own without requiring constant adjustment. It also causes lesser friction, making the movement of teeth less painful. Requiring lesser adjustment also means fewer visits to the dentist.

What is the difference between braces and retainers?

The main difference between the braces and retainers are that the braces are stick to your teeth whereas retainers are easily removable. By the way, retainers combine of a molded part of plastic with a formed wire. They also utilize in the same way as braces that slowly pressuring the teeth so that in some time they become properly spaced and aligned.

How do retainers work?

They work in the same way as braces, slowly pressuring the teeth so that over time they become properly aligned and spaced. Unlike braces, retainers and be removed, so a typical treatment will require a patient to wear a retainer for a certain number of hours each day.

What is a brace for teeth?

A brace is the laymans term for an active orthodontic allliance, either fixed to the teeth or removable, designed to move teeth into better functional or more aesthetic positions. Once the teeth are moved into the desired positions, they must be kept in position using a fixed or removable passive appliance known as a retainer. The difference is that retainers do not move teeth but are designed to keep teeth in their corrected position.

What is braces made of?

Braces consist of small metal brackets and rings that are glued directly to your teeth. A stiff metal wire connects the brackets and rings and is usually held in place by tiny elastics. Your dentist will form the wire, creating a constant pressure on the teeth, slowly realigning them over an extended period of time.

Do braces help with jaw alignment?

Dental braces treat adults that need teeth correction or jaw alignment. Orthodontic cases that are more difficult may require only traditional braces to treat effectively.

Do braces look like retainers?

As the name suggests the retainers, retain the results achieved by active braces. Some braces which are used for moving teeth may look like retainers and Thats why the common misconception that every removable orthodontic appliance is a retainer.

Can braces be fixed?

Braces can be removable or fixed in the mouth. One common misunderstanding is that removable braces are sometimes called retainers, but strictly speaking retainers are only used to keep the teeth straight after the braces have finished their work. Retainers, as the term suggest, is for holding teeth in position after surgery or any method of realigning teeth.

What Are Braces?

Braces are dental tools that help correct problems with your teeth, like crowding, crooked teeth, or teeth that are out of alignment. Many people get braces when they’re teenagers, but adults get them too. As you wear them, braces slowly straighten and align your teeth so you have a normal bite. Some people get braces to adjust their smile.

How do braces work?

Braces work by putting pressure on your teeth over a period of time to slowly move them in a specific direction. The bone under them changes shape, too.

How long should you keep clear aligners?

They use pressure to gently move your teeth into the correct positions and straighten your smile. You remove the aligners to eat, brush, or floss, but you should keep them in at least 22 hours each day for them to work. The orthodontist may also place tooth-colored attachments onto your teeth to hold the aligners in place. Find more information on dental aligners and how to straighten teeth at home.

How long do braces stay in place?

How closely you follow instructions. On average, once braces go on, they usually remain in place for 1 to 3 years. After braces come off, most people need to wear a retainer all the time for the first 6 months.

What is the specialty of an orthodontist?

Many general dentists do basic alignment and treat other tooth problems, but orthodontists specialize in correcting issues with your teeth. An orthodontist has 2 to 3 years of advanced orthodontic education and training beyond dental school. They specialize in straightening teeth, correcting misaligned bites, and jaw problems.

Why do you put spacers between your teeth?

Spacers fit between your teeth to create a small space for the orthodontic bands.

What does an orthodontist do?

The dentist or orthodontist you choose will ask questions about your health, do a clinical exam, take a digital scan of your teeth, take photos of your face and teeth, and order X-rays of the mouth and head. They’ll come up with a treatment plan based on this information.