Retainers are a crucial component as they fall under the post-treatment care because they help you retain the benefits of your dental procedures, ensuring that you can keep your improved smile for a very long time. So it is important to take good care of them. But what if your plastic retainer has broken what then? Fret not, as we will guide you while shedding some light on the topic.
Every now and then a retainer will be slightly fractured, but as long as it still functions well, the method described below can be used to quickly fix it at home. If the damage is too severe to be repaired at home at some other times, you might need to see your dentist. In most situations, dentists can repair a retainer, but occasionally the damage may be too severe. This implies that neither you nor your orthodontist would be able to solve the problem. In that scenario, your best course of action is to request a fresh pair of retainers from your dental professional as soon as possible. Your chances of damaging your teeth increase the longer you leave them and ignore the damaged retainer. It can cause severe pain also if it happens then we suggest you visit your nearest dentist. Search for dental pain treatment near me for prompt action.
What to do if you have a cracked retainer?
Before selecting how to fix the retainer, ascertain the extent of the damage. Check the mouth for any jagged edges or broken bits. Let’s now discuss the options you have in hand when t comes to fixing a broken retainer.
Evaluate The Damages
The first and foremost thing that you need to do is to assess the extent of the damage. Occasionally, if the crack has not yet split the retainer tray, you can continue to wear your cracked retainer for a while. Even with minor breaks, worn retainers can still retain your teeth firmly in place. You cannot utilize the retainer if there is a split as a result of the cracks. Your gums are more likely to get hurt if your retainer is cracked. However, do not sit tight until a breach occurs to initiate plans for a replacement. If you find even a slight dent in your detachable retainer, consult your periodontist straight away. In this manner, while you wait for a replacement retainer, you can still wear the damaged retainer. Since retainers are custom-made, it might take a few days till you get yourself a new one.
Get A Nail File To File The Edges
Once you locate the breakage, use a nail file to round the corners. File the cracked areas in a similar direction so that they will fit again nicely. If plastic remnant fragments came loose during the filing procedure, gently scrub the dental plastic's shattered surface with a toothbrush. But keep in mind to exercise caution during the treatment because a small mistake could worsen the damage.
Use A Dental Glue
You can try adhering the edges with dental glue. Since it will be used in the mouth, make sure the acrylic bonding, impermeable, silicone, or oral adhesive you select is non-toxic. To calculate how much glue is required and how it is going to take for it to dry, meticulously comply with the directions. Put the jagged shards of the silicon retainer together to see if they fit in smoothly. Apply adhesive to always one edge of the split retainer and carefully press the pieces back together to repair them. After cleaning off the leftover adhesive, wash the retainers well to prevent bacteria or germs from entering the mouth. You need to be wary of the bacteria as they can later create some serious infections especially if you have undergone a single sitting RCT.
It's vital to leave the repair of your cracked plastic retainer to the pros, especially if it's a permanent appliance. The clinical adhesives or oral mortar used to fix your retainer must only be handled by dental specialists. It does not, however, imply that you should disregard safety precautions when using detachable retainers. Never use glue guns or other chemicals to try to patch up cracks since they frequently include poisonous substances that you shouldn't put in your mouth. Even if you can purchase over-the-counter sealants of pharmaceutical grade, doing it yourself could damage the material. Your dentures or tissues can potentially be harmed if you perform the task wrong.
However, there are certain steps that you can take to avoid breakages, here are a few.
How To Prevent Retainer Breakages
Retainer breakages are common but you can save them just by following or paying heed to these certain points.
Maintain Good Oral Health
If you don't routinely brush your gums and your retainer, microbes, filth, and buildup can rapidly build up on them. Your mouthguard will have an odd or unpleasant taste or odor, which will let you know when this has happened. Chlamydia can also effortlessly adhere to your retainer, which might result in additional infections. Using an antimicrobial mouthwash can help to avoid this from occurring.
Remove Them Gently
Your retainer may experience unnecessary stress from improper removal, which, if left unaddressed, will eventually cause it to break or crack. Use a finger on each side of your retainer to eliminate stretching and distorting as you draw it out of your mouth. This will help you remove your retainer properly. After removing it, put the retainer back into its container or cup it tenderly and cleanly.
Store Them Properly
Make sure you preserve your retainers properly to avoid breakage when not in use. The retainer is protected by the storage case against environmental deterioration, unintentional impacts, and ravenous animals. However, irrespective of the case, keep in mind that pets should not have access to the retainers at all. They adore retainers and will occasionally nibble through into the case to get at them.
Conclusion:
The biggest protection you have against losing your aligned teeth over time is your retainer. You shouldn't wear anything with a cracked or damaged retainer at all! For repairs, be sure to visit your orthodontist right away. Only a firm device that fits snugly over your teeth will function as a retainer. This makes sure that your teeth won't move and won't revert to their previous position. Your retainer won't be able to accomplish its work if one of those roles is jeopardized. Keep in mind that your retainer is crucial to preserving your new, improved, and healthier smile. Do not put off getting a busted retainer mended for too long.
There are many oral health problems that have brought concerns among patients with poor dental hygiene. Especially when they have an rct done previously. Retainers then can cause problems. Before you get into any retainer-related problems search for ‘rct specialist near me’ or if you feel like you have some underlying gum problems then look for a ‘single sitting rct treatment near me’.
