Does a retainer help strighten your teeth and keep them straight?????

Question

I was just wondering if a retainer helps straighten slightly crooked teeth or does it just keep your teeth straight.Or does it do both????

Answer 1

it only keeps teeth straight, after braces.  

Answer 2

Most people think they are only used after braces. However this is not the case.

They are used to keep teeth straight after surgery or other ways to close gaps between your teeth. Of course, they are usually used after braces while "assisting the adjustment of the surrounding gums to the changes in bone".

Also, they do help straighten your teeth a bit, but t your teeth are usually pretty close to straight already. Thats why they have the metal wire in the middle so your orthodontist can bend the wire if felt necessary.

For more info go to

http://www.archwired.com/6-_come_off.htm

Answer 3

It keeps your teeth straight. That's why you use them *after* your braces, because your teeth will naturally start to move on their own.

Answer 4

It basically keeps them straight and in place. Without it your teeth shift back and then you get to start the process over. No fun at all. Try not to lose it, and stay in the good habit of always wearing it. When you possibly do lose it now and again, it won't be as bad. I have the bad habit of not wanting to wear it... and so, my teeth are only a shift a way from going back to normal. Learn from me and always wear your retainer.

Answer 5

A retainer helps keep the shape of your teeth. You wear them after you get your braces off so that your teeth won't move after you've gotten them off. Your retainer is made in a certain shape so your teeth are pushed to grow and stay in that shape.. so it wouldn't be able to straighten out crooked teeth because it's already a set shape that your original teeth must fit into.