Retainer

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hawley retainer after orthodontic treatment

A retainer ( English to retain retain, hold, fix) is a tooth stabilizer, which in the context of orthodontic is used treatment. The retainer allows the jawbone and the newly positioned tooth roots to get used to the new position better as the jawbone grows back. The risk of a relapse can be minimized by using a retainer.

Definition / application

A distinction is made between two types of retainers:

  • The removable retainer is mostly used after minor to moderate orthodontic treatments with fixed braces with the aim of stabilizing the teeth in the new target position. If removable retainers are used in the upper and lower jaw, it is usually not possible for the teeth to meet, which may be desired. It is recommended to use the removable retainer throughout the day for the entire duration of treatment. It looks very similar to removable braces.
  • The fixed retainer (also known as adhesive retainer ) is used for moderate to severe orthodontic treatments directly in the course of removing fixed braces. The fixed retainer is usually attached to the inside of the tooth with the aim of stabilizing the newly positioned teeth. The teeth to be stabilized are connected with a wire band. It is attached by gluing it to the teeth.

Fixed retainer treatment process

The retainer is made on the basis of a dental impression ( upper and / or lower jaw ).

Procedure:

  1. Creation of an imprint
  2. Inserting the retainer
  3. Removal of the fixed braces

The sequence of the treatment process is important because the teeth, which are still movable due to the fixed braces, "spring" (can move away from their new position for a very short time). In order to rule out this possibility, the fixed braces are only removed after the retainer has been inserted. This procedure shows possible disadvantages of a removable retainer.

Duration of treatment

After orthodontic treatment, the teeth feel the urge to move back to their old position. This urge diminishes over time, but theoretically persists for a lifetime. For this reason, loose retainers are generally worn around the clock or for a large part of the day at the beginning of the retention period. The daily wearing time decreases with the duration of treatment. As a rule of thumb, the loose retainer should be used for at least as long as the active orthodontic treatment lasted. However, it is advisable to wear it overnight at longer intervals (e.g. several times a week) and to check whether it is still loose or whether the teeth have shifted again.

Fixed retainers remain stuck behind the teeth indefinitely. In practice, however, they often lose their hold after a few years and are then permanently removed. Sometimes loose and fixed retainers are used at the same time. In this case the treatment time of the loose retainer is shortened.

Assumption of costs

In Germany, a fixed retainer in the upper jaw is currently not covered by statutory health insurance. It will be reimbursed in the lower jaw if it was applied for before the start of treatment and if there is a crowding in the lower jaw of at least grade 3 (KIG E3). In contrast to removable braces, however, the retainer offers the advantage of more efficient treatment success, since the retainer is permanently attached to the teeth during the follow-up period .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b W. Harze: Textbook of orthodontics . Hanser Fachbuch, 1999, ISBN 3-446-18548-8
  2. ↑ Orthodontic guidelines (PDF; 30 kB) of the Federal Joint Committee