fixed lingual retainers are a type of dental retainer that is bonded to the lingual surface of the teeth, which is the side of the teeth that faces the tongue. They are used to maintain the position of the teeth after orthodontic treatment, helping to prevent relapse and maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment.
What is a lingual retainer?
A lingual retainer is a thin, flat wire that is bonded to the lingual surfaces of the anterior (front) teeth. This wire is attached to the canines (the largest teeth at the front of the mouth) and is designed to keep the teeth in their proper position. Lingual retainers are usually made of stainless steel or a special type of metal that is shaped into a thin wire.
How does it work?
After orthodontic treatment, which involves moving the teeth to achieve a perfectly aligned smile, a fixed lingual retainer is placed on the lingual surfaces of the teeth. It is a semipermanent appliance, meaning it stays in the mouth for an extended period, typically one year or more. Over time, the teeth will shift back to their original position without the retainer, but the retainer helps to hold the teeth in place and maintain their new shape.
Benefits of a lingual retainer
- Maintenance of牙齿位置：固定舌侧保持器能够牢牢地固定在舌头侧，有效防止牙齿在愈合过程中向错误方向移动或回弹。
- 保持良好的咬合关系：通过保持牙齿的正确位置和接触，舌侧保持器有助于维护良好的咬合关系
- 提供稳定性和长期效果：即使在没有牙套或托槽的情况下，舌头侧保持器也能够有效地维持牙齿的位置。
Disadvantages of a lingual retainer
尽管有许多优点，但固定舌侧保持器也存在一些缺点：
- 清洁困难：由于舌头侧保持器的位置靠近喉咙，清洁起来可能比清洁口腔其他区域更加困难。舌侧保持器上可能会有食物残渣积聚，增加患龋齿的风险。
- 不适感：舌侧保持器可能会对说话或吞咽产生轻微不适，尤其是对于那些不适应保持器的人。
- 使用不便：如果需要摘下舌侧保持器进行特殊治疗或在日常生活中使用，可能需要额外的时间和努力
- 成本问题：舌侧保持器的制造成本通常高于传统活动保持器或无托槽隐形矫治器
总的来说，舌侧保持器是维持正畸治疗后良好治疗效果的重要工具之一。它能够有效地防止牙齿在愈合过程中回到错误的位置并提供稳定的位置。虽然存在一些不便之处，但通过正确的护理和使用指导，多数患者都能够适应舌侧保持器的使用并受益于其带来的长期效果。
请注意，以上信息仅供参考，并不能替代专业牙科医生的建议。如果您考虑接受舌侧保持器治疗，请务必咨询有资质的牙科医生，以确保获得最合适的治疗方案。
