What’s Your Type?
The construction of a spring retainer is unlike most other retainers -- instead of focusing on the here and now, a spring retainer's design is based on the end result. First, an impression is made of your teeth and sent to a lab. From there, the teeth are cut from the model and shaped to appear straight. The spring retainer is made from the reconstructed set, which will push your teeth in the right direction as you wear it.
Spring retainers can also be modified to fit your various orthodontic needs. While spring retainers traditionally encompass your four front teeth, they can be combined with other orthodontic retainers to help maintain your smile. A Spring Hawley retainer is one common type of modified spring retainer used to preserve the placement of your back teeth while correcting your anterior teeth. Spring retainers may also feature a wire extension or acrylic extension, where parts of the retainer are extended beyond the cuspids for added retention and stability.
Get On the Move!
If your teeth are starting to shift, you'll have to act fast! Spring retainers are not miracle workers -- they are designed to move your teeth 1-2 mm and are only used for minor adjustments, such as rotating or tipping a tooth. They cannot move the roots or jaws and are ineffective in correcting extremely crooked or crowded teeth. The great news is if you qualify for a spring retainer, the treatment time is quick; many patients are able to straighten out their smiles in less than 6 months! Once your teeth are straight, you'll continue to wear your spring retainer solely at night to preserve your smile.
For dental patients with only slight malocclusions, a spring retainer may replace the need for dental braces altogether! If you're interested in correcting some minor imperfections but don't want to commit to dental braces, you may be a candidate for a spring retainer. Talk to your dentist to find out. If you don't have a dentist, we can help. Call us anytime at 1-866-970-9853.
