Do retainers have a corrective function?

Nov 13, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

A retainer is an auxiliary device used to maintain the position of teeth and occlusal relationships after orthodontic treatment. It serves to stabilize the results of orthodontic correction but does not have corrective function itself. Proper wearing time and method should be observed in daily use to ensure effective maintenance of the orthodontic outcome.

In general, retainers do not have corrective effects. The detailed explanation is as follows:

A retainer is an auxiliary device used to maintain the position of teeth and the occlusal relationship after orthodontic treatment. Its primary function is to prevent teeth from shifting back due to poor oral habits or other factors following the completion of orthodontic treatment, thereby consolidating the results of the treatment. However, retainers themselves do not possess direct corrective capabilities. This is because their design purpose is not to alter the position or shape of teeth, but rather to preserve the ideal alignment achieved through orthodontic treatment. Therefore, if a patient's teeth have not yet reached the desired alignment and occlusion through orthodontic treatment, simply wearing a retainer will not achieve any corrective effect.

Retainers are auxiliary devices intended to stabilize the outcomes of orthodontic treatment and do not have inherent corrective functions. It is important to follow proper guidelines regarding the duration and method of retainer wear to ensure effective maintenance of the orthodontic results.

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