Final Retention: Shift Happens – the Need for Indefinite Retention. 
 

At the risk of overdoing it in the “glib” department, “Shift Happens”.  As discussed in our last series, “Grace’s Airway Adventures,” the human mouth was originally designed to comfortably house all 32 teeth. For a number of reasons, over the years we have lost that spacing – evolved (or devolved) to a point where we require various forms of assistance to achieve that genetic potential. 

Hence, Orthodontics.

The esthetics of broad smiles and straight teeth are what your patients most desire --either for themselves or their kids. Healthy, uncompromised airways are the major consideration prior, during and after treatment.

But shift happens.  Patients, forget to wear their retainer. They lose it. They break it. Over a period of time many suffer relapse – and it’s often the lower anteriors that first begin to crowd. 

In fact, regardless of the type of orthodontic therapy – extraction or non-extraction, bicuspid extraction, molar extraction, arch development, straight wire, removable – and individual patient recovery time, permanent stability cannot be achieved without benefit of ongoing retention support.  And that’s why, at every hygiene appointment you should ask and note whether your post orthodontic patients are in fact wearing their retainer.

Next up: a continuation of the discussion of final retention options. We’ll offer suggestions on how to integrate a program into your practice.  And hopefully, we’ll help you to initiate, build and/or strengthen the relationship you have with your orthodontic specialist.  See you then!

For a Free Copy of our Comprehensive Guide to Final Retention, Click Here.