Each of your adjustment sessions at Dr. James Karhohs’s orthodontic clinic played an important role in bringing your teeth into their ideal position and alignment. Even after your braces have been removed, there will still be some lingering tension in the connective tissues of your dental sockets.
If it isn’t countered by using a retainer, it could gradually cause your teeth to relapse out of their ideal alignment. This can be done immediately after your braces have been removed. There are several different types of retainer that Dr. James Karhohs might recommend for you.
A Hawley retainer is the most common type of removable retainer Dr. James Karhohs provides. This is a thin piece of custom shaped acrylic that conforms to the unique shape of your mouth. It will be secured in your mouth by a set of wires that lock onto specific teeth.
If your braces needed to provide significant correction to a specific area, Dr. James Karhohs might recommend installing a fixed retainer. It is a strong metal band that he cements behind the teeth. It might be combined with removable Hawley retainer on the upper teeth.
If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and you have questions about retainers, you can always call 616-784-4300 to speak to an orthodontic specialist at James V. Karhohs, DDS, MS, PC.
