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retainer | Wayne Family Orthodontics

Mar 10
0

A Clear Plastic Retainer Might Be Needed After Invisalign®

By | Invisalign | No Comments

Invisalign® and other brands of clear plastic aligners are sometimes used by our orthodontist, Dr. Muhammad Abey to help individuals correct alignment problems with their dentition. Clear aligners help improve the appearance of your smile while also reducing your chances of suffering chips, dental fractures, or lost tooth enamel.

When used as directed, this type of aligner can correct the alignment of your teeth without the need for the hardware associated with traditional braces. This can sometimes be accomplished in six to eight weeks.

Dr. Muhammad Abey can often fit you for a clear plastic aligner in a brief appointment. This simple dental appliance is made from a clear plastic material. You will need to wear the removable retainer as directed by your doctor. You can drink and speak with ease while wearing the clear plastic retainer, but you will need to take it out before eating a snack or a meal. When it isn’t in use, you should keep the retainer in the provided case. Cleaning the clear aligner calls for rinsing it with water, although some brands provide a special cleaner. Noticeable plaque buildup can be cleaned away with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a little non-abrasive toothpaste. Even after your alignment is complete, it is likely that you will need to wear a retainer until your teeth have settled into their positions.

If you are a patient at Wayne Family Orthodontics in Wayne, New Jersey, and you have a question about clear aligners or retainers, you can always call 973-341-3180 to speak to a staff member.

Jul 01
0

How Do I Care for My Retainer?

By | Retainer | No Comments

Retainers are handy appliances that can keep your teeth in their correct positions after orthodontic treatment. They can help you maintain the straight and healthy smile you’ve worked so hard for. Because it helps you, you need to help it by cleaning and caring for it regularly. To help you do so, Dr. Muhammad Abey has some tips.

The first tip he has is to clean your retainer each time you clean your smile. You can clean your retainer by soaking it in denture cleaner. All you need to do is fill a cup with warm water, add the cleanser, and then add the retainer. Just let it soak for the recommended amount of time. When it is done soaking, rinse it off with water.

The second tip is to keep your retainer in a safe place. It’s important to put it in its little retainer box. Once it’s secure in its container, you need to place the container in a place that is free from harm as well as a place you won’t forget. This can be in your bathroom cupboard, bathroom drawer, or bedside table.

If you have any questions about how to care for a retainer in Wayne, New Jersey, please call our orthodontic team at Wayne Family Orthodontics. All you need to do is dial 973-341-3180 and we will be happy to give you the answers and information you need to keep your retainer in tip-top shape!

Mar 16
0

The Best Ways to Care for Your Retainer

By | Retainer | No Comments

Your retainer is made of sturdy and reliable materials. However, that doesn’t mean it can withstand anything. In fact, it’s very important to take good care of your retainer each and every day so it can do its job of keeping your smile straight and healthy. To help you keep your retainer in tip-top shape, Dr. Muhammad Abey and our orthodontic team have some recommendations for you.

Step No. 1: Store your retainer properly – If you keep your retainer in a safe and secure place, there is a small chance you’ll lose or damage it. So, to help you properly store your appliance, we recommend placing it in its case right after you take it out of your mouth. After doing this, put the case in a safe place, like your backpack, purse, pocket, or bathroom drawer. No matter what, do not keep the retainer in a hot environment. The hot temperature can warp and reshape it.

Step No. 2: Clean your appliance regularly – Make it a habit to clean your retainer each time you brush your teeth. To properly clean it, you can soak it in denture cleaner. All you need to do is put the cleanser pod into a warm cup of water, put the retainer in the cup, and let it soak for the time that is recommended on the cleaner label. When the time has passed, rinse the retainer with water before putting it back over your teeth.

If you follow these steps, there is a high chance you’ll maintain a strong retainer as well as a straight and top-notch smile. To learn more about how to take good care of a retainer in Wayne, New Jersey, please feel free to call Wayne Family Orthodontics at 973-341-3180 at your earliest convenience. Our orthodontic team will be happy to help you in any way we can!

Aug 13
0

How Retainers Can Keep Your Smile Straight After Braces

By | Braces, Retainer | No Comments

You’ve done it. You finished your time with braces and now you have a beautifully straight and even smile. Dr. Muhammad Abey has checked that your mouth is functioning well, and now it’s time to remove the braces! Now it’s time to make sure that progress stays with you by using a retainer.

The periodontal ligaments that anchor your teeth in your mouth are still trying to pull your teeth back to their original positions. The customized retainer our orthodontist makes for you will combat that pull. You will need to wear the retainer until the tension eases so there’s no more danger of relapse.

As the tension in the ligaments changes and relaxes, Dr. Muhammad Abey may tell you to change when you should wear your retainer during the day and how long you should wear it. You will likely need to wear your retainer for the same amount of time as you wore your braces

For the first few days after you start wearing a retainer, your mouth might salivate more. This is natural and to be expected. After a while, your mouth will adapt and your saliva production will return to normal.

If your braces are about to be removed, and you have questions about retainers, you can call Wayne Family Orthodontics’s office in Wayne, New Jersey at 973-341-3180 for a consultation.

Jul 28
0

FAQs About Orthodontics

By | Orthodontics | No Comments

If you want the best orthodontic treatment possible, then it’s best to know everything you can about braces in Wayne, New Jersey. However, we know braces and orthodontics can be confusing and overwhelming. So, to help you, our Wayne Family Orthodontics team has provided the answers to the following frequently asked questions:

Why is good oral hygiene with braces important?
Oral hygiene is vital if you want a successful treatment and pristine smile results. Oral hygiene is important because food particles and plaque tend to get stuck in your smile and appliance. When this happens, the food and plaque begin to develop tooth stains, tooth discoloration, tooth decay, and gum disease.

How should I clean my teeth and braces?
It’s best to clean your teeth and braces with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. We recommend brushing your teeth after each meal and snack and flossing your smile at least once a day. Doing these things will help you stay on track with your orthodontic treatment.

How do braces feel?
Unfortunately, there are times when your braces will make your teeth sore and tender. At these times, it’s best to stick to a soft-foods diet and take pain reliever when needed. Also, your braces might poke or bother you on occasion. When this happens, feel free to cover the trouble area with orthodontic wax.

How long do I have to wear braces?
Your treatment time will depend on how misaligned and uneven your smile and bite are. If you have severely misaligned teeth, you will need to wear your braces longer. Generally, patients wear braces for about 18 to 30 months.

What foods should I avoid eating?
For the best orthodontic experience possible, you will need to avoid eating sugary, sticky, chewy, and starchy foods. We also recommend that you avoid drinking soda.

If you would like to know more about orthodontics and braces, please remember that you can always call our office at 973-341-3180 and talk to a member of our orthodontic team. We also encourage you to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist, Dr. Muhammad Abey, if you are concerned about your smile or appliance. We are happy to help you!

May 28
0

Taking Care of Your Clear Plastic Retainer

By | Retainer | No Comments
Once your braces have been removed by Wayne Family Orthodontics you will be fitted for a retainer. A retainer is designed to help mitigate any lingering tension in your periodontal ligaments, allowing your teeth to retain their new alignment for many years to come. Without a retainer this residual tension can cause your teeth to relapse back toward their previous alignment. By keeping your new clear plastic retainer clean and wearing it during the prescribed times, you can keep the amount of time you need to wear a retainer to the bare minimum.

There are three different types of retainers that Wayne Family Orthodontics commonly prescribes. You might be a candidate for a clear plastic retainer if your teeth only needed minor adjustment by your braces. A clear plastic retainer is very similar to aligner trays like Invisalign or Clear Correct. In fact, the clear plastic material makes it hard for the casual observer to even notice you’re wearing it.

While wearing a clear plastic retainer, you can drink and speak normally. However, you should take it out when you are eating. You should never use tobacco products while wearing the retainer as this could damage the retainer or cause other problems.

You should rinse your clear plastic retainer every time you take it out. To refresh the unit at night you can soak it in a mixture of half cold water and half antiseptic mouthwash. You can lightly brush the interior with a soft tooth brush and nonabrasive toothpaste to remove any stuck on plaque. You shouldn’t brush it with an abrasive toothpaste, as the abrasives could dull the clear plastic material and make it more noticeable when you’re wearing it.

If you have any questions about how to properly take care of your clear plastic retainer, please call Wayne Family Orthodontics at 973-341-3180 to schedule an appointment.

Apr 26
0

Braces Glossary: Helping You Better Understand Orthodontics

By | Orthodontics | No Comments

Braces are great appliances that can successfully shift and transform your smile, but sometimes they can also be a bit confusing. The best way to clear up the confusion is by learning more about the appliance. So, to help you do so, we have provided the definitions to the following orthodontic terms:

Band – A band is a metal ring that is wrapped tightly around your back molars. It is meant to support your large teeth and to keep them in tip-top shape. We don’t want them to ever crack or break. A band can also assist with headgear and bite correctors.

Bracket – A bracket is a small, square piece of your appliance that is glued to the front surface of every tooth in your smile. The piece is made of metal and it holds the orthodontic wire in place. It also applies pressure to your teeth and shifts and moves them into the positions they need to be in.

Retainer – A retainer is a removable or permanent appliance that keeps your teeth in position after your braces have moved them. A permanent retainer is typically a metal wire that is glued to the back surfaces of your teeth. A removable retainer is a small appliance that can fit over your smile. You generally wear the appliance at night while you sleep. A retainer can also be used for minimal tooth movement.

Adjustment – An adjustment is an appointment that allows your orthodontist to tighten the wires on your appliance to continue shifting your teeth. Your teeth may be a bit sore for a few days after the adjustment, but that just means that your appliance is doing its job by moving your chompers into place.

Orthodontist – An orthodontist is a dentist that specializes in orthodontics. In order to specialize, the orthodontist needs to attend and receive 2-3 additional years of schooling and training. After they complete the program, they are certified orthodontists.

Now that you know more about braces and orthodontics, you are set! If you have any additional questions, please remember that you can always call Wayne Family Orthodontics at 973-341-3180 and talk to our team. You can also talk to Dr. Muhammad Abey at any of your appointments. We are happy to help you!