Orthodontic treatment is a multi-stage process. Poor technique and treatment errors can be observed at any stage of treatment. Mistakes made at the beginning of treatment may appear after the removal of braces at the stage of retention. Among such complications is the breakage of the retainer.
A retainer is a device used after completing the main part of orthodontic treatment in order to maintain the result. There is a wide variety of designs for such devices. The main difference is that retainers after braces can be removable and non-removable.
Fixed wire retainers are very small and, therefore, comfortable for patients. In addition, the device is located on the lingual surface of the teeth and is not visible to others so it doesn’t ruin the aesthetic of a smile. This is why many people prefer this option, however, they are more prone to breakage. The removable ones are less likely to break, but this can happen to them too.
How an Orthodontic Retainer Works
A braided wire arc is adapted to the inner surface of the teeth which is fixed to the surface of each tooth with a photopolymer filling. On the one hand, it gives the teeth a small degree of freedom due to its elasticity, on the other hand, the arch does not allow the teeth to move more than allowed, also due to elasticity. It keeps the teeth in the final position of the main treatment.
Causes of Broken Wire Retainer
There are several reasons for the breakage of wire structures:
- Contamination;
- Low professionalism of the specialist who installed them;
- Poor orthodontic treatment;
- Improper use of the structure
The most common failure of a non-removable wire retainer is the peeling of seals. The reason for the peeling of seals is contamination. These are saliva, elements of tissue fluid, and blood. If the tooth surface is contaminated with the listed polluting agents during preparation for sealing, then the sealant will break and peel off.
In cases of malocclusion, the pressure on the teeth and on the retainer increases during chewing. Increased pressure leads to the slow destruction of retention devices. If the causes of uneven teeth have not been eliminated during treatment, then the retaining structure is bound to collapse. It will either peel off or the wire part will break.
Not a single design will hold the wrong result, even if the teeth look even. No wire is able to cope with the task, even if it is very thick. If there are two wires, then sooner or later problems will still appear to a greater or lesser extent, the holding apparatus of any design and modification will break and peel off if the cause of uneven bite has not been eliminated.
It is obvious that you cannot place a thin wire in the place where the antagonist’s teeth bite. It is on the side where the bite is incorrect that the closure of the antagonists is excessively deep. Wherever the orthodontist places the wire, it will interfere with the closing of the teeth. Therefore, in such conditions, the retainer quickly breaks and peels off.
The bottom line
Treatment with braces is a complex process in which each stage is an important link in obtaining a high-quality and sustainable result. If during the treatment everything is done flawlessly, then in this case the retainer will perform its function, it will not break or peel off. If the cause of uneven teeth was not revealed at the stage of diagnosis and not eliminated during treatment, then most likely the teeth will again shift to a pathological position.
