Tag Archives: braces

What Makes Braces Different from Retainers

Article By Remarkable Smiles

Many people will immediately notice the parallels between retainers and dental braces. Both are metal-based orthodontic appliances that work to maintain your smile’s alignment and straightness. Retainers, however, are functionally and aesthetically different from dental braces.

An orthodontist has cemented traditional, ceramic, or lingual braces to your teeth and tightened them to apply constant pressure to your smile. Although initially uncomfortable, this procedure is essential to straighten up crooked or misaligned teeth. You will need the assistance of your orthodontist to remove dental braces unless you are using clear aligners.

Retainers, on the other hand, are less invasive and typically worn following dental braces therapy. Retainers are easy to maintain and simple to take out, facilitating eating and tooth brushing. Retainers are made of softer materials like acrylic, flexible polyester, or translucent plastic, as opposed to the more durable materials used in dental braces, including metal or aluminum oxide. transparent plastic retainers closely resemble Invisalign braces or transparent aligners. Metal retainers are also an option, but they still perform differently from dental braces.

Retainers are made to hold your teeth in place rather than causing gradual tooth movement. For this reason, orthodontists recommend them for usage following dental braces treatment. While your gums recover from the pressure that braces put on them, retainers keep your teeth in their freshly straightened position.

You can get assistance from Dr. Mark Rashidi and the Remarkable Smiles team in deciding between braces and retainers. He is an orthodontist in Laguna Hills who treats patients from Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, and other cities. Dr. Mark has a lot of expertise using several kinds of treatments, such as ceramic, traditional metal, and Invisalign.

What to Know Before Starting Orthodontic Treatment

Article submitted By Remarkable Smiles Orthodontics.  

Once you’ve taken the first step towards getting braces, you might be wondering what to ask your orthodontist before you start treatment. The first thing you might want to know about is your orthodontist’s background. This is a fair question, and California laws require orthodontists to provide their information and dental license number if you ask. Since orthodontic procedures can carry some risk, it’s important to know that you’re in good hands before you start.  

To be better prepared for the procedure, you should also ask for crucial details, such as whether surgery will be involved, whether complications could result from the procedure, how painful it will be, and what it will cost. If you are considering getting Invisalign clear aligners, you should ask if you are a good candidate, because Invisalign is not always compatible with patients’ tooth misalignments.  

After your procedure, your orthodontist will likely schedule some follow-up appointments. Talk with your orthodontist about what to do before your next appointment. You may need to avoid certain foods or wear a retainer for a while. While it’s helpful to know the details of your treatment, it’s crucial to have a well-qualified orthodontist who can help you during every step of your procedure.  

If you’re looking for an Orthodontist in Irvine, Dr. Mark Rashidi at Remarkable Smiles provides orthodontic services to Irvine and surrounding areas, such as Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, and Laguna Hills. If you need traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, or ceramic braces, contact him today to discuss treatment.